NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Fewer Filipinos Working, Slight Uptick In Unemployment
Photo credit: DMW
The country’s job numbers took a slight dip in September 2025, as fewer Filipinos joined the workforce and unemployment inched up, according to the latest Labor Force Survey released Thursday.
The labor force participation rate — or the share of Filipinos aged 15 and above who are either employed or looking for work — slipped to 64.5%, down from 65.7% in the same month last year. This translates to 51.56 million people in the labor force, fewer than the 52.13 million recorded in August.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.8%, from 3.7% in September 2024. That’s about 1.96 million jobless Filipinos, up from 1.89 million a year earlier.
The employment rate dipped a bit to 96.2%, with the number of employed persons dropping to 49.6 million, compared to 49.87 million last year.
The services sector continued to dominate, accounting for 61.3% of all jobs, followed by agriculture (20.9%) and industry (17.8%). Top subsectors include wholesale and retail trade, agriculture and forestry, and construction.
On the bright side, construction, fishing, and hospitality saw job gains, while other services, manufacturing, and transportation posted notable declines.
Underemployment — or workers looking for more hours or an extra job — stood at 11.1%, roughly 5.5 million Filipinos, slightly lower than last year’s 11.9%.
Despite the small shifts, the labor market remains steady, though the decline in participation hints that fewer Filipinos are either working or seeking work — a trend economists say will need close attention in the coming months.
The labor force participation rate — or the share of Filipinos aged 15 and above who are either employed or looking for work — slipped to 64.5%, down from 65.7% in the same month last year. This translates to 51.56 million people in the labor force, fewer than the 52.13 million recorded in August.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.8%, from 3.7% in September 2024. That’s about 1.96 million jobless Filipinos, up from 1.89 million a year earlier.
The employment rate dipped a bit to 96.2%, with the number of employed persons dropping to 49.6 million, compared to 49.87 million last year.
The services sector continued to dominate, accounting for 61.3% of all jobs, followed by agriculture (20.9%) and industry (17.8%). Top subsectors include wholesale and retail trade, agriculture and forestry, and construction.
On the bright side, construction, fishing, and hospitality saw job gains, while other services, manufacturing, and transportation posted notable declines.
Underemployment — or workers looking for more hours or an extra job — stood at 11.1%, roughly 5.5 million Filipinos, slightly lower than last year’s 11.9%.
Despite the small shifts, the labor market remains steady, though the decline in participation hints that fewer Filipinos are either working or seeking work — a trend economists say will need close attention in the coming months.
Nov 6, 2025
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