PH Employment Rate Hits 96.1% in May 2025: DOLE Report

Philippines Sees Job Growth as Employment Rate Reaches 96.1% in May 2025

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced the results of the May 2025 Labor Force Survey, revealing a positive yet complex picture of the nation's employment situation. According to the data released by the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA), the country's employment rate climbed to 96.1 percent, while the unemployment rate saw a slight decrease to 3.9 percent.

These figures indicate a year-over-year improvement in the number of individuals finding work, with more Filipinos participating in the labor force.

Key Figures at a Glance

• Employment Rate: 96.1% (50.29 million employed)

• Unemployment Rate: 3.9% (2.03 million unemployed)

• Underemployment Rate: 13.1% (6.60 million underemployed)

• Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.8% (52.32 million total labor force)

Employment Rises, Unemployment Dips

The May 2025 employment rate marks an increase from the 95.9 percent recorded in May 2024. In absolute numbers, this translates to 50.29 million employed Filipinos, a significant rise from the 48.87 million employed in the same month last year.

Concurrently, the unemployment rate improved, falling to 3.9 percent from 4.1 percent in May 2024. This represents a decrease in the number of unemployed individuals from 2.11 million to 2.03 million.

Growing Labor Force Participation

The growth in employment is supported by an increase in the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR), which rose to 65.8 percent in May 2025 from 64.8 percent the previous year. This means that a larger portion of the working-age population is actively engaged in the labor market, with the total labor force expanding from 50.97 million to 52.32 million people.

A Closer Look at the Underemployment Rate

While the employment figures are encouraging, the survey also highlighted a significant challenge: a rising underemployment rate. The rate jumped to 13.1 percent, a notable increase from the 9.9 percent recorded in May 2024.

This means that approximately 6.60 million employed Filipinos were seeking more hours at their current job, an additional job, or a new job with longer hours. This is a substantial increase from the 4.82 million underemployed individuals a year prior. The rise in underemployment suggests that while more jobs are available, many may not be providing sufficient hours or income.

Summary of PH Labor Statistics: May 2024 vs May 2025

In conclusion, the May 2025 Labor Force Survey paints a picture of a growing and more active labor market in the Philippines. The increase in the employment rate and the corresponding drop in unemployment are positive indicators of economic recovery and job creation. However, the sharp rise in the underemployment rate underscores the ongoing need to focus not just on the quantity of jobs, but also on the quality and stability of employment for Filipino workers.

Reference: PH Employment Situation on the May 2025 Labor Force Survey