Manila - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
400k Americans live in the Philippines. Those with children will have a very easy time making friends outside the embassy because of all the school activities. - Apr 2024
Rather large and diffuse. It can be time-consuming to go from one area of town to another, so you may find yourself sticking often to your part of town. Morale was so-so while I was there, but improving thanks to the lifting of pandemic restrictions. - Mar 2023
Very large and very good. Many people, mostly men, come here to retire. - May 2022
This is a large expat community in terms of diplomats from all countries, private industry, etc. Expats right now are extremely fatigued of the government restrictions. Many are leaving the country. - Apr 2021
It's large. I'd say morale before COVID-19 was pretty good. Morale plummeted with COVID-19, as Manila endured the world's longest lockdown and people were trapped in their high-rise apartments for months on end. But by the time anyone is reading this, restrictions will likely have been lifted. - Oct 2020
Lots of expats!!!!! - Feb 2020
From what I understand this is a really large expat community. Morale is good, the frustration at local quirks (mostly traffic) seems to go in waves and everyone understands but it doesn't hit everyone at the same time. - May 2018
The overall expat community is massive. The US embassy is large, by itself, and several other countries have a good-sized presence here. The Asian Development Bank is also headquartered here, and there are many multinational offices in Makati/BGC. Morale is generally good among expats, although frustrations over traffic/infrastructure can wear on anyone over time. - Feb 2017
Huge, particularly Americans. Morale is high. - Jul 2016
Large, I think the morale for families is high. They usually live in the nice villages and have good schools. Bit lower for singles and spouses on the compound as it can be very secluded. - Jan 2016
Large but segregated. Morale is decent, although the traffic and daily frustrations put a damper on morale. - Jan 2016
- Jan 2016
Huge expat community all over the place. Mostly former military. - Sep 2015
The expat community is large and morale is high. - Aug 2015
Inclusive, it would be huge, but the fact that there are literally thousands of American expats here means it's too large to be a single community. Some people really love it here, others don't. It's big enough that you're going to see all kinds of morale. - Aug 2015
Large expat community and morale seems high. - Sep 2014
Embassy alone has a mission of over 500 Americans. Morale of most is high, but harder for singles. - Dec 2013
Like all places, it depends on the person. We have had a great time. - Nov 2013
Large, I'm not great with numbers but it's a big post. - Aug 2013
Very large. Many Americans and Australians, Japanese and Koreans are based in the Philippines. - Apr 2013
Huge. The embassy itself is massive, and there are tons of Americans living here in the Philippines. - Feb 2013
Fairly big. - Sep 2012
Huge. - May 2012
Large, but depends where you live (lots in Makati/Fort, not so much in other areas). - Mar 2012
LARGE. Lots of military guys retired here. - Jan 2012
Very large. Due to the former military bases, there are lots of retired military personnel. The Philippines also has a large immigrant population in the US, so there are also lots of Filipino-Americans who moved back to the Phil. - Jul 2011
Very large (ADB, multiple embassies, WorldBank, aid agencies & NGOs.) - May 2011
Huge. - May 2011
Large. - Feb 2010
Large..many Americans with Embassy, ADB, or other banks, telecom centers etc. Lots of Canadian, British, Australian, New Zealand, etc. - Jan 2010
Huge! There are hundreds of thousands of expats in the Philippines, particularly those affiliated with embassies and U.S. retired military. The U.S. Embassy here is our fourth largest in the world, I believe. - Jul 2009
Pretty huge. - Apr 2009
Very large. - Jun 2008
