The number of Filipinos overseas has reached 10.8 million, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The data, covering July to December 2024, was shared during a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on Wednesday.
Where Filipinos Are Around the World
More than half of all overseas Filipinos—about 5.4 million—live in the Americas, with the United States topping the list at 4.4 million. Canada follows with nearly a million Filipinos, while Malaysia comes next with around 950,000.
Other regions also have large Filipino communities:
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Asia and the Pacific: 2.4 million (22.59%)
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Middle East: 2.1 million (19.46%)
The DFA noted that most overseas Filipinos are permanent migrants (54.41%), while about 34.59% are temporary workers. Around 11% are undocumented, a reminder of the risks many take to seek a better future.
Embassies and Consulates: Extending the Nation’s Hand Abroad
Currently, the Philippines has 67 embassies, 27 consulates general, and 4 permanent missions across the globe. These posts are lifelines for Filipinos abroad, handling everything from emergencies to passports.
By 2025, the DFA plans to expand further—opening an embassy in Suva, Fiji and consulates in Busan, South Korea, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, and Seattle, USA. In 2026, new posts are set for Accra, Ghana, Astana, Kazakhstan, and Miami, Florida.
More Than Just Numbers
For Senator Loren Legarda, these diplomatic outposts are not only about serving Filipinos abroad, but also about strengthening trade, culture, and global ties.
“It’s very important even in areas where there are very few Filipinos,” she said, stressing that the closure of embassies in 2012 cost the country opportunities in trade and diplomacy. She expressed strong support for reopening and expanding embassies worldwide.
A Nation Beyond Borders
The DFA’s latest figures are more than just statistics. Behind every number is a story — of sacrifice, ambition, and resilience. Whether they are working abroad temporarily, settling permanently, or facing the uncertainty of being undocumented, Filipinos continue to carry the nation’s spirit wherever they go.
