The Catholic Church's influence amongst its faithful is declining throughout the Western World, yet it continues to have a pervasive influence within Philippino society. With its stance against birth control, the Philippines' population is growing rapidly, presently standing at 90 million making it the twelfth largest population in the world, and growing 1.59 % annually. Though there has been a marked decline in population growth from the 1995 - 2000 period when annual population growth was 3.3%, its present growth still requires rapid economic expansion and job creation the Philippino economy cannot generate.

In spite of its recent strong economic growth, GDP growth was 7.3% in 2007 and is expected to remain strong, it is unable to meet the demands of a young population in search of a means to live. Consequently, Philippinos have for decades migrated throughout the corners of the world in search of employment.

The total migrant Philippino population presently stands at eight million. You will find Philippino workers serving as domestic maids, restaurant labourers, and construction workers throughout the Middle East and much of economically rising South East Asia, their ability to speak the English language often making them a valuable commodity in an increasingly English language focused world. With their labour and work ethic they bring their joviality and easy going nature, a smile or conversation not difficult to attain.

Their contribution to improved English proficiency in non-English speaking nations is certainly a positive, as well as theismiles they bring with them, yet the substantial financial sums sent back to family in the Philippines cannot overcome the loss of so many skilled workers.

Foreign companies not only choose low skilled manual labourers, but also highly skilled labourers that, if not performing their skills abroad, could be contributing to the Philippines' economy. Like many developing countries, the Philippines is experiencing a brain drain that is robbing it of its best and brightest, for they are the most mobile, the most sought after by foreign nations with labour shortages.

It is the educated Philippino who is most able to and capable of packing his or her bags and traveling abroad, taking their skills with them as they leave. They have sent nurses in huge numbers to nations in need of their knowledge, as well as engineers, doctors, and others in highly skilled and specialized fields where their numbers cannot so easily be replaced.

There is financial gain to the Philippino economy in the form of billions annually sent back, yet the losses in the form of ingenuity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the departed cannot be accounted for. Those who left have taken with them future Philippino internet start ups, future Philippino corporations and business, and the entrepreneurial verve and spirit so desperately needed for the Philippines to move from a center of low cost manufacturing to a modern economy reliant on its own people's initiative and not on the investment of foreigners.

Learn more about this author, Mark Shim.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How the overseas foreign worker phenomenon is ruining the Philippines?
We want to hear your view. Write now!