By means of Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter
The unemployment rate of the Philippines in January rose to the highest level in six months, because taking the holidays fell after the holidays, said the Statistics Agency Thursday.
Provisional data from the Embor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the unemployed rate at 4.3% in January, slightly lower than 4.5% a year ago but higher than higher than higher than higher 3.1% in December.
In the first month of the year, this translated into 2.16 million unemployed Filipinos, unchanged compared to January 2024, but higher than the 1.63 million in December 2024.
January saw the highest unemployment rate since 4.7% in July 2024.
During a newsletter, PSA assistant -Secretary Divina Gracia L. del Prado said that higher unemployment is always seen in January.
“If you look at the series, it always happens – employment shoots in December and then suddenly in January, it falls because there is no longer one isBasket, “she said in mixed English and Filipin.
The Bicol region registered the highest unemployment rate by 6.5%, while the Zamboanga peninsula had the lowest with 2.3%.
“Although we welcome this development, we also acknowledge that these additional jobs are classified as vulnerable. That is why our strategy remains clear: to support jobs by promoting a dynamic and investment -friendly economy and at the same time preparing our workforce for fast -growing and emerging industries that offer high -quality, well -paid jobs, ”said National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M.
In the meantime, the understaffing fell to 13.3% in January, equal to 6.47 million of 13.7% in the same month a year ago.
January under unemployment – the share of those who already work, but are still looking for more work or longer working hours – rose from 10.9%in December.
It was also the highest in nine months or since April 2024 when it reached 14.6%.
“The industry with the majority of unemployment is agriculture and forestry. Agriculture accounts for 44.5% of the total unemployment. Almost half of those who work in the sector regards themselves as too little work, “said Mrs. Del Prado in Filipijns.
SOCCSSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani) had the highest percentage of understaffing at 29.5%, while the Davao region was the lowest at 3.3%.
PSA data showed that the size of the labor force was around 50.65 million Filipinos of at least 15 years old, resulting in a labor participation (LFPR) of 63.9%. This was higher than the 61.1% in January 2024, equal to a labor force of 48.06 million.
The LFPR is the percentage of the population that is economically active.
“This suggests a robust growth in employment compared to last year … [to] More money circulating in the economy as a result of election expenditures by candidates and the flow of help, ”University Professor of the University of the Philippines Diliman School of Labor and Industrial Relations told Business world In a Facebook Messenger chat.
The Youth LFPR rose in January to 31.8% of 29.7% in January 2024.
Financial secretary Ralph G. Recto is optimistic that youth participation in the labor force will continue to increase in the midst of the government’s efforts to “use the country’s demographic sweet mock.”
“We have a versatile strategy to support our dynamic labor market, aimed at educational and personnel development, infrastructure and investments. We invest heavily in both intellectual and physical infrastructure, “Mr. Recto said in a statement.
PSA -data also showed that the autonomous region of Bangsamoro in the Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) registered the highest LFPR with 72.5%, while the BICOL region registered the lowest with 59.1%.
TO ASSURE
Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Jose Sonny G. Matula said that the newest banengaties are serious concerns.
“Unemployment, understaffing and precarious work schemes continue to rise, underlining the urgent need for economic reforms that will offer stable, well -paid jobs while companies can maintain growth,” he said Business world In a Viberchat.
PSA data showed that the employment rate, which is the share of the operation of the total labor force, was 95.7% in January. This was a bit higher than the employment rate of 95.5% in the same month in 2024.
About 48.49 million Filipinos had jobs in January, higher than 45.9 million in the same month last year, but in December 2024 lower than 50.19 million.
The Zamboanga peninsula had an employment rate of 97.7%, the highest in the country, while the Bicol region had the lowest at 93.5%.
The service sector remains the largest employer, good for 61.6%of the jobs, followed by agriculture and forestry (21.1%) and industry (17.2%).
Most jobs in the service sector are contractual, seasonal or precarious, Mr Matula noted.
“Many employees are trapped in contract schemes for work, work orders (JOS) or service contracts (COS) without determining a permanent appointment, and short-term work cycles that do not offer long-term stability,” he said.
Bukluran NG Manggagawang Pilipino -President Renecio S. Espiritu, Jr. said that the higher percentage of unemployment shows that Filippinos are struggling with insuffFicient wages or jobs that do not match their background.
“Employees in critical sectors such as production continue to fall as a result of unbridled contractualization and trade union busting,” said Mr Espiritu in Filipijns.
He also pointed to the “very low” LFPR for women with 52.9%.
“This means that we do not waste a considerable part of our labor or the reproductive work that women perform – both of which are simply unacceptable,” said Mr Espiritu.
In the meantime, agriculture and forestry had the largest annual increase in jobs in January, with 883,000 jobs. This was followed by wholesalers and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (850,000); Accommodation and Foodservice activities (533,000); and transport and storage (141,000).
On the other hand, production left 209,000 jobs in January, the highest among subsectors. The professional, scientific and technical activities sector has cut 58,000 jobs, followed by Art, Entertainment and RecrreAation (29,000) and construction (11,000).
Wage and salary workers accounted for 63%of the staff in January, followed by self-employed people without paid employees (28.2%) and unpaid family workers (6.6%). The smallest share was from employers in family businesses or companies at 2.2%.
Working hours were on average 40.4 hours per week in January, lower than the average of 42.2 hours a year ago.