Jobless rate dips to 4.7% in April

MANILA, Philippines —   Unemployment rate in the country eased in April from the previous month, but job quality deteriorated, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Preliminary results of the PSA’s Labor Force Survey showed that the jobless rate eased to 4.7 percent in April from the previous month’s five percent, but went up from 4.1 percent in the same month last year.

While the April unemployment rate declined from the previous month, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a press conference yesterday that it was the highest since April 2022, when it reached 5.7 percent.

In terms of magnitude, there were 2.41 million unemployed Filipinos in April, down from the previous month’s 2.58 million, but higher than the 2.06 million in the same month a year ago.

Meanwhile, the country’s employment rate rose to 95.3 percent in April from 95 percent in March, but dipped from 95.9 percent a year ago.

This is equivalent to 48.89 million employed Filipinos in April, down from 49.07 million in March, but up from 48.67 million in the same period in 2025.

The underemployment rate, which covers those looking for an additional job or work hours, climbed to 15.2 percent in April from the previous month’s 12.3 percent and 14.6 percent in the same month last year.

An estimated 7.41 million Filipinos were underemployed in April, higher than the previous month’s 6.03 million and 7.09 million in the same month a year ago.

The labor force participation rate slid to 62.7 percent in April from the previous month’s 63.3 percent and 63.7 percent in the same month in 2025.

Chinabank Research said the April underemployment data shows workers’ need for more income amid rising commodity prices.

“Looking ahead, underemployment may stay elevated in the near term as households and businesses continue to contend with high inflation. Historically, underemployment rates tend to rise during periods of high inflation,” it said.

While inflation in May slowed from 7.2 percent in April, it remained elevated at 6.8 percent.

This brought average inflation from January to May to 4.5 percent, breaching the government’s two to four percent target.

In a statement, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said unemployment has been on a downward trend since the start of the year, from 5.8 percent in January, while total employment rose to 48.89 million in April.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the agency views the latest figures as part of a broader improvement in labor market conditions and reiterated “the need to strengthen the country’s school-to-work pipeline, emphasizing that Filipino youth must be actively prepared for the jobs of the future.”

Tolentino noted that there is a need to align workers’ skills with industry requirements, expand access to work-based learning and internship opportunities, and improve participation in youth employment programs, including the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

DOLE attributed the labor market movement to intensified implementation of employment facilitation programs, including nationwide job fairs, livelihood initiatives, and youth employment interventions.

The agency also cited ongoing partnerships with educational institutions and government agencies, including programs aimed at expanding work-based learning and facilitating the transition of students to employment.

Employment gains were recorded in sectors such as accommodation and food service activities, manufacturing, transportation and storage, mining and quarrying, and education, according to DOLE.

DOLE said it would continue expanding job matching, training, and employment facilitation programs to address labor market gaps and improve access to decent work opportunities.

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said that strengthening the resilience of the Philippine labor market remains a priority amid domestic and global challenges.

“The latest labor market indicators reflect both the challenges confronting the economy and the resilience of Filipino workers and businesses,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

He said the government continues to monitor the impact of recent disruptions, including the Middle East crisis, the El Niño and the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao on the labor market.

“We remain committed to providing timely support to affected workers and households,” Balisacan said, citing assistance provided through the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport framework and the inter-agency El Niño Task Force.

Apart from providing assistance, he cited the importance of strengthening business continuity and creation of quality jobs.

“We are working to broaden market access and attract investments in emerging industries, including artificial intelligence and other high-growth sectors, through strengthened economic partnerships and initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor,” Balisacan said.

He also cited the need to strengthen the government and industry’s collaboration to equip workers with skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

Efforts are also underway to help workers transition to the formal sector and higher- quality jobs.

“These initiatives are essential to building a more resilient labor market that can withstand shocks while creating better opportunities for Filipino workers,” Balisacan said. –  Christine Boton