Meanwhile, the employment rate reached 96.1 percent, up from 95.9 percent in the same period last year. The number of employed persons grew to 50.29 million, from 48.87 million in May 2024 and 48.67 million in April 2025.
However, despite these positive gains, underemployment—a measure of job quality—remained elevated at 13.1 percent, representing 6.60 million workers seeking longer hours or additional jobs.
Key highlights of Philippine Statistics Authority’s May 2025 Labor Force Survey
Unemployment
Fell to 3.9 percent in May 2025 (from 4.1 percent in May 2024 and April 2025).
Number of unemployed: 2.03 million (vs 2.11 million in May 2024 and 2.06 million in April 2025).
Employment
Rose to 96.1 percent, higher than 95.9 percent in the same month last year and the previous month.
The number of employed individuals reached 50.29 million.
Labor force participation
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR): 65.8 percent — highest since April 2005.
Total labor force: 52.32 million Filipinos aged 15 and over.
Sectoral employment distribution
The services sector led with 61.8 percent of total employed.
Agriculture with 21.1 percent
Industry with 17.1 percent.
Sub-sectors with highest annual employment gains
Retail and vehicle repair: +489,000
Agriculture and forestry: +469,000
Admin/support services: +371,000
Accommodation and food: +365,000
Other services: +175,000
Sub-sectors with largest annual declines
Manufacturing: -374,000
Construction: -298,000
Mining and quarrying: -82,000
Public administration: -54,000
Waste management: -50,000
Underemployment
Slightly improved month-on-month (13.1 percent in May vs 14.6 percent in April 2025) but still worse than 9.9 percent in May 2024.
6.60 million underemployed:
59.2 percent worked less than 40 hours/week (visibly underemployed)
40.8 percent worked 40 hours or more/week (invisibly underemployed)
—Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
