The country’s employment rate went up to 5 percent in October from the 3.9 percent a year ago.
The highest unemployment rate this year was July’s 5.3 percent.
Hence, the employment rate last October slipped to 95 percent from year-ago’s 96.1 percent.
However, the Labor force participation (LFP) rate improved to 63.6 percent in October 2025 from year-ago’s 63.3 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa, in a briefing, said around 51.16 million Filipinos aged 15 and above are estimated to be part of the labor force as of October, up from the year-ago’s 50.12 million.
The bulk of the workers is employed in the services sector at 60.6 percent, followed by those in agriculture, 21.5 percent; and industry, 17.9 percent.
Quality jobs
Along with the rise in labor participation is the improvement in the quality of jobs, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.
Citing PSA data, he said the number of wage and salary workers in private establishments accounted for the bulk at 863,000; middle- and high-skilled workers, 432,000; and full-time employment, 564,000.
“October’s labor market reflects continued progress in improving the quality of work available to Filipinos,” he said.
To further bolster labor force participation, Balisacan said more innovation and digital technologies will be utilized to better employment services, industry-skills matching will be improved by using labor market information, and more slots will be opened for skills training programs.
Balisacan said the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan 2025-2034 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 will be heeded to increase employment generation.
“Guided by these plans, the government will boost workforce competitiveness by accelerating learning pathways and expanding lifelong learning opportunities, equipping workers with in-demand skills such as digital literacy, green technology capabilities, and expertise in higher-value services,” he added.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go, in another statement, said the bulk of the wage and salary workers last October is accounted for by those employed in the private sector, at 80 percent, while around 14.8 percent are in the government sector.
“This is encouraging news as it reflects the government’s continued commitment to create quality jobs that empower Filipinos and strengthen the economy,” he said.
PIA PHOTO