The number of unemployed Filipinos increased in the first month of 2024, posting an employment rate of 4.5 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
National Statistician and PSA Chief Claire Dennis Mapa reported that the number of unemployed persons ages 15 and above climbed to 2.15 million in January 2024, down from 1.6 million in December 2023. That means the number of jobless individuals increased by 228,000.
The good news is that the newly presented figures are lower than the 2.38 million unemployed Filipinos in the same period in 2022.
According to the PSA, the following sectors had the highest annual decrease in employed persons from October 2023 to January 2024: wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles – 1.08 million; agriculture and forestry – 908,000; public administration and defense, compulsory social security – 107,000; manufacturing – 82,000; accommodation and food service activities – 67,000.
More significantly, it also reported that there were 6.39 underemployed individuals, or those who expressed a desire to have an additional job or hours of work in January 2024, which is a significant jump from 6.01 million in the preceding month.
The labor force participation rate, or the total number of employed and unemployed individuals ages 15 and above, is 64.5 percent, or 48.09 million Filipinos.
While the PSA reported a 95.5 employment rate, which means 45.94 million Filipinos have jobs in January 2024, it must be noted that unemployment and underemployment remains a significant issue for millions of Filipinos who either have no jobs at all or do not earn enough to live.
Government has to look after the best interests of its people, and not just focus on statistics that make it look good, such as an impressive-sounding 95.5 percent employment rate, when the reality on the ground is that the employment options available are mostly low quality and not providing enough to earn a decent living. This means ensuring that quality and sustainable employment has to remain a priority until most, if not all Filipinos, can be assured that they can make a living in this country.*
