The Philippines has a long history of labor migration since the 1970s, supplying skilled and unskilled workers to more developed countries. As of 2004, an estimated 8.1 million or 10% of Filipinos were working abroad in almost 200 countries. Economic factors like income disparities and limited career growth, as well as political unrest and frequent natural disasters have driven migration. The Philippines is now one of the largest labor exporters in the world and a top recipient of remittances, providing protections for migrant workers through laws and advocacy groups.