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Philippines Jobless Rate Highest Since Mid 2022
The unemployment rate in the Philippines climbed to 5.8% in January 2026, marking the highest reading since June 2022, up from 4.4% in the previous month. The number of unemployed persons jumped to an over four-year high of 2.96 million from 2.26 million in December and 2.17 million a year earlier. Meanwhile, total employment declined to 47.94 million from 49.43 million in December and 48.49 million in January 2025. Among major sectors, services continued to dominate employment at 63.6% of total workers, followed by industry and agriculture at 18.3% and 18.1%, respectively. Within services, the top three with the highest employment were wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, agriculture and forestry, and construction. The labor force participation rate also fell to 62.3% from 64.4% in December and 63.9% a year ago.
Published on 2026-03-13

Philippines Jobless Rate Highest Since Mid 2022
The unemployment rate in the Philippines climbed to 5.8% in January 2026, marking the highest reading since June 2022, up from 4.4% in the previous month. The number of unemployed persons jumped to an over four-year high of 2.96 million from 2.26 million in December and 2.17 million a year earlier. Meanwhile, total employment declined to 47.94 million from 49.43 million in December and 48.49 million in January 2025. Among major sectors, services continued to dominate employment at 63.6% of total workers, followed by industry and agriculture at 18.3% and 18.1%, respectively. Within services, the top three with the highest employment were wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, agriculture and forestry, and construction. The labor force participation rate also fell to 62.3% from 64.4% in December and 63.9% a year ago.
Published on 2026-03-13

Philippines Jobless Rate Unchanged at 4.4%
The unemployment rate in the Philippines remained at 4.4% in December 2025, unchanged from November, reflecting stable labor market conditions. However, it was higher than the 3.1% recorded in December 2024. The number of unemployed persons rose slightly to 2.26 million from 2.25 million in November and 1.63 million a year earlier. Total employment increased to 49.43 million from 49.26 million in November but remained below December 2024’s 50.19 million. Among major sectors, services continued to employ the most at 62.4% of total workers, followed by agriculture at 20.7% and industry at 16.9%. The labor force participation rate was 64.4%, up from 64.0% in November but below December 2024’s 65.1%, signaling a modest rise in active workforce participation.
Published on 2026-02-06

Philippines Jobless Rate Unchanged at 4.4%
The unemployment rate in the Philippines remained at 4.4% in December 2025, unchanged from November, reflecting stable labor market conditions. However, it was higher than the 3.1% recorded in December 2024. The number of unemployed persons rose slightly to 2.26 million from 2.25 million in November and 1.63 million a year earlier. Total employment increased to 49.43 million from 49.26 million in November but remained below December 2024’s 50.19 million. Among major sectors, services continued to dominate employment at 62.4% of total workers, followed by agriculture at 20.7% and industry at 16.9%. Within services, sub-sectors such as wholesale and retail trade, and accommodation and food services maintained significant shares of employment. The labor force participation rate was 64.4%, up from 64.0% in November but below December 2024’s 65.1%.
Published on 2026-02-06

Philippines Jobless Rate Rises to 4.4% in November
The unemployment rate in the Philippines rose to 4.4% in November 2025, picking up from 3.2% a year earlier. The number of unemployed persons increased to 2.25 million from 1.66 million in November 2024, while total employment edged down to 49.26 million from 49.54 million. Compared to October, the jobless rate fell from 5%, likely reflecting seasonal hiring. Among major industry sectors, services remained the largest employer, accounting for 62.1% of total employment, followed by agriculture at 20.0% and industry at 17.9%. Labor market conditions were also affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan, which weighed on accommodation and food services as well as wholesale and retail trade. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate decreased to 64.0% from 64.6%, indicating fewer Filipinos aged 15 and above were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 40.4 hours per week, slightly lower than the 41.1 hours recorded a year ago.
Published on 2026-01-07

Philippines Jobless Rate Rises to 4.4% in November
The unemployment rate in the Philippines rose to 4.4% in November 2025, picking up from 3.2% a year earlier. The number of unemployed persons increased to 2.25 million from 1.66 million in November 2024, while total employment edged down to 49.26 million from 49.54 million. Compared to October, the jobless rate fell from 5%, likely reflecting seasonal hiring. Among major industry sectors, services remained the largest employer, accounting for 62.1% of total employment, followed by agriculture at 20.0% and industry at 17.9%. Labor market conditions were also affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan, which weighed on accommodation and food services as well as wholesale and retail trade. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate decreased to 64.0% from 64.6%, indicating fewer Filipinos aged 15 and above were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 40.4 hours per week, slightly lower than the 41.1 hours recorded a year ago.
Published on 2026-01-07

Philippines Jobless Rate Falls to 4.4% in November
The unemployment rate in the Philippines declined to 4.4% in November 2025, down from a three-month high of 5.5% in October, reflecting an improving labor market supported by seasonal hiring. Despite the month-on-month improvement, the jobless rate remained significantly higher than the 3.2% recorded in November 2024. The number of unemployed persons increased to 2.25 million from 1.66 million in November 2024, while total employment edged down to 49.26 million from 49.54 million. Among major industry sectors, services remained the largest employer, accounting for 62.1% of total employment, followed by agriculture at 20.0% and industry at 17.9%. Labor market conditions were also affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan, which weighed on accommodation and food services as well as wholesale and retail trade. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate decreased to 64.0% from 64.6%, indicating fewer Filipinos aged 15 and above were active in the labor market.
Published on 2026-01-07

Philippines Jobless Rate Jumps to 5% in October
The unemployment rate in the Philippines jumped to 5.0% in October 2025 from 3.9% a year earlier, nearing the post-pandemic high seen in July. The increase was largely driven by more Filipinos entering the labor force during the month, coupled with the failure of September’s seasonal hiring momentum to carry over into October. The number of unemployed individuals rose to 2.54 million from 1.97 million in October 2024, while total employment also expanded to 48.62 million from 48.16 million. Across major industry groups, services remained the largest employer, accounting for 60.6% of total employed persons, followed by agriculture at 21.5% and industry at 17.9%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate rose to 63.6% from 63.3% a year earlier, indicating more Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 41.3 hours per week, slightly higher than the 41.0 hours recorded in October 2024.
Published on 2025-12-10

Philippines Jobless Rate Rises to 5.0% in October
The unemployment rate in the Philippines climbed to 5.0% in October 2025 from 3.9% in the same month a year earlier. The number of unemployed individuals reached 2.54 million from 1.97 million in October 2024, while the total number of employed persons also expanded to 48.62 million from 48.16 million. Among major industry sectors, services remained as the top sector in terms of the number of employed persons with a share of 60.6% of the total employed population, followed by agriculture at 21.5%, and industry at 17.9%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged up to 63.6% from 63.3% a year earlier, indicating more Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 41.3 hours per week, slightly higher than the 41.0 hours recorded in September 2024.
Published on 2025-12-10

Philippines Jobless Rate Jumps to 5% in October
The unemployment rate in the Philippines jumped to 5.0% in October 2025 from 3.9% a year earlier, nearing the post-pandemic high seen in July. The increase was largely driven by more Filipinos entering the labor force during the month, coupled with the failure of September’s seasonal hiring momentum to carry over into October. The number of unemployed individuals rose to 2.54 million from 1.97 million in October 2024, while total employment also expanded to 48.62 million from 48.16 million. Across major industry groups, services remained the largest employer, accounting for 60.6% of total employed persons, followed by agriculture at 21.5% and industry at 17.9%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate rose to 63.6% from 63.3% a year earlier, indicating more Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 41.3 hours per week, slightly higher than the 41.0 hours recorded in September 2024.
Published on 2025-12-10

Philippines Jobless Rate Rises to 5.0% in October
The unemployment rate in the Philippines climbed to 5.0% in October 2025 from 3.9% in the same month a year earlier. The number of unemployed individuals reached 2.54 million from 1.97 million in October 2024, while the total number of employed persons also expanded to 48.62 million from 48.16 million. Among major industry sectors, services remained as the top sector in terms of the number of employed persons with a share of 60.6% of the total employed population, followed by agriculture at 21.5%, and industry at 17.9%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged up to 63.6% from 63.3% a year earlier, indicating more Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 41.3 hours per week, slightly higher than the 41.0 hours recorded in September 2024.
Published on 2025-12-10

Philippines Jobless Rate Edges Higher in September
The unemployment rate in the Philippines edged up to 3.8% in September 2025 from 3.7% in the same month a year earlier. The number of unemployed individuals increased to 1.96 million from 1.89 million in September 2024, while the total number of employed persons dropped to 49.60 million from 49.87 million. Among major industry sectors, the services sector continued as the top sector in terms of the number of employed persons with a share of 61.3% of the total employed population, followed by agriculture at 20.9%, and industry at 17.8%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate declined to 64.5% from 65.7 a year earlier, indicating fewer Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 40.5 hours per week, slightly higher than the 40.3 hours recorded in September 2024.
Published on 2025-11-06

Philippines Jobless Rate Edges Higher in September
The unemployment rate in the Philippines edged up to 3.8% in September 2025 from 3.7% in the same month a year earlier. The number of unemployed individuals increased to 1.96 million from 1.89 million in September 2024, while the total number of employed persons dropped to 49.60 million from 49.87 million. Among major industry sectors, the services sector continued as the top sector in terms of the number of employed persons with a share of 61.3% of the total employed population, followed by agriculture at 20.9%, and industry at 17.8%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate declined to 64.5% from 65.7 a year earlier, indicating fewer Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 40.5 hours per week, slightly higher than the 40.3 hours recorded in September 2024.
Published on 2025-11-06

Philippines Jobless Rate Edges Down to 3.9% in August
The unemployment rate in the Philippines edged down to 3.9% in August 2025 from 4% in the same month a year earlier. The number of unemployed individuals decreased to 2.03 million from 2.07 million in August 2024, while the total number of employed persons increased to 50.1 million from 49.15 million. Among major industry sectors, the services sector remained the largest in terms of employment, accounting for 61.5% of the total employed population, followed by agriculture at 20.4% and industry at 18.1%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate went up to 65.1% from 64.8% a year earlier, indicating more Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market On average, employed individuals worked 41.0 hours per week, higher than the 40.7 hours recorded in the corresponding month a year ago.
Published on 2025-10-08

Philippines Jobless Rate Hits 3-Year High
The unemployment rate in the Philippines rose to 5.3% in July 2025 from 4.7% in the same month a year earlier, marking the highest level since August 2022. The number of unemployed individuals increased to 2.59 million from 2.38 million in July 2024, while the total number of employed persons fell to 46.05 million from 47.68 million. Among major industry sectors, the services sector continued to employ the largest share of workers at 62.8% of the total employed population, followed by industry at 18.7% and agriculture at 18.5%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate declined to 60.7% from 63.5% a year earlier, indicating fewer Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 42.0 hours per week, slightly higher than the 41.1 hours recorded in July 2024, suggesting a modest increase in workload among those employed.
Published on 2025-09-10

Philippines Jobless Rate Hits 3-Year High
The unemployment rate in the Philippines rose to 5.3% in July 2025 from 4.7% in the same month a year earlier, marking the highest level since August 2022. The number of unemployed individuals increased to 2.59 million from 2.38 million in July 2024, while the total number of employed persons fell to 46.05 million from 47.68 million. Among major industry sectors, the services sector continued to employ the largest share of workers at 62.8% of the total employed population, followed by industry at 18.7% and agriculture at 18.5%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate declined to 60.7% from 63.5% a year earlier, indicating fewer Filipinos aged 15 and over were active in the labor market. On average, employed individuals worked 42.0 hours per week, slightly higher than the 41.1 hours recorded in July 2024, suggesting a modest increase in workload among those employed.
Published on 2025-09-10

Philippines Jobless Rate Rises to 3.7%
The unemployment rate in the Philippines rose to 3.7% in June 2025 from 3.1% in the same month of the previous year. The number of unemployed individuals increased to 1.95 million from 1.62 million in June 2024, while the number of employed persons rose to 50.5 million from 50.3 million. Among major industry sectors, the services sector remained the largest in terms of employment, accounting for 61.4% of the total employed population, followed by agriculture at 20.9%, and industry at 17.7%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate slowed to 65.7%, compared to 66% a year earlier. On average, employed individuals worked 40.5 hours per week, lower than the 40.9 hours recorded in the corresponding month a year ago.
Published on 2025-08-06

Philippines Jobless Rate Steady at 3.9%
The unemployment rate in the Philippines stood at 3.9% in May 2025, unchanged from the same month last year. The number of unemployed individuals decreased to 2.03 million from 2.11 million in May 2024, while employment increased to 96.1 million from 95.9 million. Among broad industry groups, the services sector remained the largest employer, accounting for 61.8% of the total workforce, followed by agriculture at 21.1% and industry at 17.1%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate rose to 65.8%, compared to 64.8% a year earlier. On average, employed persons worked 39.8 hours per week, lower than the 40.6 hours recorded in May 2024.
Published on 2025-07-08

Philippines Jobless Rate Steady at 3.9%
The unemployment rate in the Philippines stood at 3.9% in May 2025, unchanged from the same month last year. The number of unemployed individuals decreased to 2.03 million from 2.11 million in May 2024, while employment increased to 96.1 million from 95.9 million. Among broad industry groups, the services sector remained the largest employer, accounting for 61.8% of the total workforce, followed by agriculture at 21.1% and industry at 17.1%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate rose to 65.8%, compared to 64.8% a year earlier. On average, employed persons worked 39.8 hours per week, lower than the 40.6 hours recorded in May 2024.
Published on 2025-07-08

Philippines Jobless Rate Steady at 3.9%
The unemployment rate in the Philippines stood at 3.9% in May 2025, unchanged from the same month last year. The number of unemployed individuals decreased to 2.03 million from 2.11 million in May 2024, while employment increased to 96.1 million from 95.9 million. Among broad industry groups, the services sector remained the largest employer, accounting for 61.8% of the total workforce, followed by agriculture at 21.1% and industry at 17.1%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate rose to 65.8%, compared to 64.8% a year earlier. On average, employed persons worked 39.8 hours per week, lower than the 40.6 hours recorded in May 2024.
Published on 2025-07-08