The Philippine labor market showed signs of further weakening in October 2025 as the number of Filipinos without work climbed significantly, according to the latest Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa reported that 2.54 million Filipinos aged 15 and above were unemployed during the month, up from 1.96 million in September 2025.
This steep month-on-month increase indicates that more workers either lost their jobs or were unable to find new opportunities, reflecting sustained challenges across several industries and a slowdown in hiring activity.
Higher Than Last Year’s Figures
The October unemployment total also exceeded the 1.97 million jobless Filipinos recorded in the same period last year. Analysts note that this year-on-year rise suggests lingering economic pressures and structural issues that continue to affect job creation.
Factors such as global market uncertainties, shifting business conditions, and persistent inflation may have contributed to reduced expansion plans among employers. Meanwhile, skill mismatches remain a concern, with many job seekers unable to qualify for available positions despite increased labor market participation.
The data underscores the ongoing need for targeted employment programs, stronger support for MSMEs, and improvements in workforce skills training to better align with industry demands.
Unemployment Rate Jumps to 5%
Out of 51.16 million individuals in the labor force actively searching for work in October, 5% were unemployed, rising from 3.8% in September. This means 50 out of every 1,000 Filipinos had no job or livelihood during the period.
The higher unemployment rate reinforces mounting concerns about the country’s labor market stability. Economists warn that without decisive interventions—such as job generation initiatives, inclusive economic policies, and increased investments in high-growth sectors—the number of Filipinos struggling to secure employment may continue to rise in the coming months.
