Philippines Employment Reaches 48.89 Million as Unemployment and Underemployment Rise in April
Updated
Updated · Human Resources Online · Jun 11
Philippines Employment Reaches 48.89 Million as Unemployment and Underemployment Rise in April
1 articles · Updated · Human Resources Online · Jun 11
Summary
48.89 million Filipinos were employed in April 2026, up from 48.67 million a year earlier and 47.94 million in January, while the employment rate improved to 95.3% from 94.2% in January.
4.7% unemployment still rose from 4.1% a year earlier, leaving 2.41 million jobless, and underemployment climbed to 15.2%, or 7.41 million workers seeking more hours or better jobs.
62.7% labor-force participation translated to 51.30 million Filipinos in the workforce, below April 2025's 63.7% but above January's 62.3%, showing a partial rebound from the start of the year.
62.3% of jobs remained in services, with accommodation and food services adding 510,000 positions year on year, while wholesale and retail trade lost 450,000 and agriculture and forestry shed 392,000.
12.2% of Filipinos aged 15 to 24 were not in education, employment or training, up from 10.6% a year earlier, underscoring pressure on DOLE's youth-employment and skills programs.