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Manila: The growing number of Filipino women working abroad has helped control the population boom in the Philippines, a senior official told Gulf News.
"If one partner is working overseas, it is possible that couples are practising longer birth spacing. I think this is happening now," said Tomas Osias, executive director of the Commission on Population (Popcom).
"The increasing number of female overseas Filipino workers has mitigated a population explosion in the Philippines," explained Osias, adding that "women OFWs practise longer birth spacing and do not dare bear children while working abroad".
At the same time, the children of Filipino workers who have gained permanent residence abroad become part of the populations of the host countries, said Osias.
A Popcom report has shown that more Filipino women are now working abroad than Filipino men.
The Philippines' 2.36 per cent annual growth rate means two million babies are being born every year. The Philippines is now ranked as the 12th most populous nation in the world.
"This could have been worse if not for the country's labour migration policy, which has been in effect for 32 years," said Osias.
Popcom is undertaking a research on the relationship of migration, population control and economic development, which will be presented in the government agency's second quarter report, said Osias.
Popcom has initiated the research because other government agencies have not given attention to the impact of the government's policy of sending workers abroad, to population perspective, said Osias.
"We think that other agencies have not looked at the other effects of migration," said Osias, adding, "Our report on the issue will be a meaningful contribution to demography."
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