Arthur Fuentes

Jobseekers look for available jobs during the Marikina City Government's Job Fair 2024 held at the Marikina City Hall, April 27, 2024. A total of 28 private companies participated in the job fair. The event is open to all Filipinos 18 years old and up, high school graduate, college level, or college graduate. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Job fair

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<h2>Jobless rate highest since June 2022</h2>MANILA -- The Philippines&#x27; unemployment and underemployment rates climbed in January this year, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Friday.PSA data showed that the country&#x27;s jobless rate climbed to 5.8 percent in January from 4.4 percent in December last year. This means that 2.96 million Filipino workers were jobless in January, up from 2.26 million in December. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773369127274unemployemnt jan 26.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div>This was the highest unemployment rate in 43 months, or since June 2022, when the figure hit 6.0 percent, according to Deputy National Statistician and PSA Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia del Prado. The underemployment rate also climbed to 13.2 percent in January from 8 percent in December. This means that 6.35 million workers were underemployed that month, up from 3.93 million workers in the preceding month. Underemployed workers are those who already have jobs, but are still looking for extra jobs or work-hours, according to the PSA.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773369142014underemployment jan 26.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div>From December to January, some of the sub-sectors with the largest increase in jobs were: manufacturing (546,000), transportation and storage (238,000), and fishing and aquaculture (202,000). In terms of job losses, month-on-month, the sectors which saw the biggest contractions were: agriculture and forestry (-1.76 million), wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (-888,000), construction (-199,000), education (-154,000), and accommodation and food service activities (-140,000).Del Prado said the drop in jobs in January was partly due to the seasonality of hiring, which goes up during the ‘ber” months leading to the Christmas holidays. &quot;After the Christmas season, bumababa talaga ating employment rate,” she added.But she also noted that weather disturbances may have also led to job losses in the agriculture sector during the month, as the country was hit by Tropical Storm Ada, which affected several regions. The ongoing war in the Middle East may affect the labor situation in the country this month, del Prado said, noting that many businesses generally freeze hiring or lay off workers when oil prices and inflation climb. Workers repatriated from the Middle East may also join the labor force and add to the number of unemployed. “Pag ganitong tumataas ang presyo ng langis, lalo na affected yung ating mga OFWs na may mga na-repatriate na rin, it might affect our labor market,” del Prado said.  She noted that the previous highest unemployment rate, which was in June 2022, was reached during the height of the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which roiled energy and food markets worldwide. Del Prado said the impact of the Middle East conflict may be seen when the PSA reports on the results of the March labor force survey, which will be released in May. Even the 4-day work week will also have an impact on the labor market, especially on those getting paid on a daily basis.“Yung mga arawan lang sweldo nila, mga job order siguro natin maapektuhan dito dahil may isang araw na mababawas sa pagtrabaho nila,’ she said.The Department of Economy, Planning and Development, meanwhile said the government is stepping up its support for the country’s workforce amid rising global uncertainties.“Given elevated geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties, strategic policies are needed to bolster labor market resilience,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.The DEPDev said the government is strengthening safety nets such as targeted fuel subsidies for transport operators, farmers, and fisherfolk.

Unemployment, underemployment rates rise in January

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

Unemployment, underemployment rates rise in January

Arthur Fuentes,

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 13, 2026 09:14 AM PHT

|

Updated March 13, 2026 05:44 PM PHT

Read More:

unemployment rate

underemployment rate

jobless rate

labor force

PSA

Philippine Statisitcs Authority

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.