By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine labor market showed renewed strength in May 2026 as the number of unemployed Filipinos dropped to 2.15 million, signaling sustained gains in employment despite continued job losses in several key industries, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
PSA National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Undersecretary Dennis Mapa said the latest Labor Force Survey recorded an unemployment rate of 4.8 percent, with the number of jobless Filipinos declining from 2.41 million in April.
The survey also revealed a significant improvement in underemployment, with the number of Filipinos seeking additional work or longer working hours falling sharply to 6.04 million in May from 7.41 million a month earlier—an indication that more workers were able to secure better employment opportunities.
Despite the overall improvement, several industries registered employment declines during the month, including agriculture and forestry, other service activities, public administration and defense, compulsory social security, and wholesale and retail trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
The latest labor figures underscore the economy’s continued ability to generate jobs while highlighting persistent challenges in sectors undergoing workforce adjustments. Economists will closely watch the coming months to determine whether the improving employment trend can be sustained amid global economic uncertainties and domestic market pressures.
ia/xf
