It is not always the economy who is bad.... In my case it was the seniority driven policy why I went as Expat and made a better life outside.
Also the fact the the "fly for food" becomes more common and that supplies the market with cheap labour.
I know Pilots in the UK they get so low wages that they have to take on another job over the Winter to feed the family and pay the bills. For a single Guy ? Better go in the warm areas and fly where you pay less the 5 $ for a meal. You gain hours and go to bed with a full stomach and no worries of tomorrow.
Fly safe and land happy
NG