The Philippine jobless rate rose to 4.7% in April from a 12 months earlier, while underemployment climbed to an almost three-year high of 15.2%, signaling continued weakness within the labor market.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the jobless rate stood at 4.7% in April, higher than the 4.1% in the identical month last 12 months.
PSA data showed that the jobless rate stood at 4.7% in April, higher than the 4.1% in the identical month last 12 months.
Nonetheless, the unemployment rate eased from 5% in March.
The variety of unemployed Filipinos was estimated at 2.41 million in April, 351,000 higher than the two.06 million recorded a 12 months ago.
National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa noted that the year-on-year rise in unemployment was driven largely by job seekers within the 25-34 and 15-24 age groups.
“The rationale for the year-on-year increase within the unemployed is that they were truly in search of work but couldn’t find any; this accounted for about 276,000 individuals,” Mr. Mapa said told a news briefing in Filipino, adding that many were also waiting for results from job applications.
Meanwhile, rising underemployment emerged as a growing concern, with the speed climbing to fifteen.2% in April 2026, up from 14.6% year-on-year and better than the 12.3% recorded in March 2026.
Mr. Mapa said the underemployment rate of 15.2% was the very best since July 2023.
The ranks of underemployed Filipinos — those that want longer work hours or a further job – increased to 7.41 million in April, from the 7.081 million in the identical month a 12 months ago and from 6.031 million in March.
Mr. Mapa pointed to the transportation and storage sector as a serious contributor to this trend, specifically amongst jeepney, taxi, and bus drivers.
“While in a way, the status of being employed was not necessarily affected when it comes to hours and income, that was what was affected as reflected by the underemployment numbers in transportation and storage,” he said, linking the shift to higher costs resembling fuel.
In a press release, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said that the federal government is working to broaden market access and attract investments in emerging industries.
“The newest labor market indicators reflect each the challenges confronting the economy and the resilience of Filipino staff and businesses,” he said
“The federal government is strengthening partnerships with the private sector to expand apprenticeship opportunities, improve certification systems, and support employee mobility toward high-value industries resembling advanced electronics, renewable energy, and digital services,” Mr. Balisacan said. – Erika Mae P. Sinaking