Fewer Filipinos unemployed in August, but total still higher than 2025

Unemployment fell to 5.3% from July’s 6%, but 2.77 million Filipinos remained without jobs, up from 2.03 million a year earlier.

The Philippines’ unemployment rate fell to 5.3% in August from 6% in July, with fewer Filipinos unemployed than the previous month. But the labor market still had more people without jobs than it did a year ago.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said 2.77 million Filipinos were unemployed in August, down from 3.14 million in July but up from 2.03 million in August 2025.

The employment rate also improved from July, reaching 94.7% from 94.0%. Still, it was below the 96.1% recorded a year earlier. The number of employed Filipinos rose to 49.79 million from 49.21 million in July, but remained below the 50.10 million recorded in August 2025.

The labor market also welcomed 897,000 new entrants in August. Some 470,000 found jobs, while 427,000 remained unemployed.

Then there are the Filipinos who have jobs but want more work. Underemployment stood at 11.9%, representing 5.90 million people. That was an improvement from July’s 6.33 million, but higher than the 10.7% recorded a year earlier.

Services continued to account for most employment at 61.7%. Retail could also get a lift in the coming months, with National Statistician Dennis Claire Mapa expecting employment to increase during the “ber” months as seasonal hiring picks up.

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