This translates to about 1.94 million jobless Filipinos—fewer than the 2.16 million recorded in January, but more than the 1.80 million registered a year earlier.
Employment, unemployment
The employment rate was 96.2 percent, slightly down from 96.5 percent, in February 2024, but up from 95.7 percent in January 2025.
Employed persons numbered 49.15 million, higher than 48.95 million a year ago and 48.49 million in January 2025.
The unemployment rate stood at 3.8%, up from 3.5 percent in February 2024 but lower than 4.3 percent in January 2025.
Unemployed persons totaled 1.94 million, up from 1.80 million (Feb 2024) and down from 2.16 million (Jan 2025).
Labor force participation
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) was 64.5 percent, slightly lower than 64.8 percent a year ago but higher than 63.9 percent in the previous month.
Total labor force numbered 51.09 million, up from 50.75 million in February 2024 and 50.65 million in January 2025.
Underemployment
Underemployment rate declined to 10.1%, from 12.4% (Feb 2024) and 13.3% (Jan 2025).
Underemployed persons were estimated at 4.96 million.
Industry and sector insights
The services sector dominated employment at 61.6 percent, followed by agriculture (20.1 percent) and industry (18.3 percent).
Top 5 sub-sectors by annual job growth:
Accommodation & food service (+377K)
Fishing & aquaculture (+365K)
Public administration & defense (+330K)
Construction (+258K)
Other service activities (+232K)
Top 5 sub-sectors with annual job losses:
Agriculture & forestry (-949K)
Administrative & support services (-201K)
Transportation & storage (-158K)
Wholesale & retail trade (-77K)
Professional, scientific, and technical activities (-68K)
Employment type breakdown
Wage and salary workers comprised 63.2 percent of employed persons:
Private establishments: 77.3 percent of wage/salary workers or 48.8 percent of all employed
Government/government-controlled corporations: 14.7 percent of wage/salary workers or 9.3 percent of total employed
Self-employed without paid employees: 28.2 percent
Unpaid family workers: 6.6 percent
Employers in own business: 2.0 percent
— Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
