Unemployment eases to 4.7% but underemployment continues to rise in April 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Unemployment eased to 4.7% in April despite expectations of a weaker job market due to the Middle East crisis, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Tuesday, June 9.

The country’s latest unemployment rate is equivalent to around 2.41 million jobless Filipinos. This is slightly lower than March’s 5% or 2.58 million Filipinos but higher than the 4.1% or 2.06 million unemployed Filipinos recorded in April 2025.

Meanwhile, underemployment jumped to 15.2% or 7.41 million Filipinos, higher than March’s 12.3% or 6.03 million underemployed Filipinos and the 14.6% or 7.09 million Filipinos logged in April last year.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa noted that unemployment eased in April as the accommodation and food services sector added 510,000 jobs to the economy year-on-year, particularly in mobile restaurants.

The manufacturing sector also added around 259,000 jobs, particularly in the production of semiconductors and food products.

The transport and storage sector also added around 189,000 jobs, particularly those in land transport such as jeepneys and ride-hailing services. However, Mapa said underemployment within the sector grew as drivers worked shorter hours.

“So ‘yung actual number ang ating estimate mula sa transportation and storage na underemployed for April ay 677,000, pero year-on-year ‘yung increase nila ‘yung kanina, ‘yung 160,000,” he explained.

(So we estimate that the number of underemployed individuals working in transportation and storage for April was at around 677,000, but the year-on-year increase is at around 160,000.)

The wholesale and retail trade industry shed the most jobs in April, losing around 450,000 jobs year-on-year. 

“Most of the reductions in employment or businesses are in retail trade, so this may be an effect of prices, lower incomes,” Mapa explained.

Another sector affected by elevated fuel prices is the fishing and aquaculture sector, which shed 155,000 jobs. Mapa said higher diesel prices may have discouraged fisherfolk from making their trips.

For the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the improving job market conditions could be attributed to “intensified implementation” of employment and livelihood initiatives.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino also directed DOLE to continue improving pathways to employment, underscoring the need to equip workers with industry-relevant skills.

In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) also attributed the improving employment conditions to livelihood initiatives across the country.

These include the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport or UPLIFT framework to cushion the impact of the Middle East crisis, as well as the reconvening of the inter-agency El Niño Task Force to help safeguard agricultural jobs.

“We are working to broaden market access and attract investments in emerging industries, including artificial intelligence and other high-growth sectors, through strengthened economic partnerships and initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

The DEPDev, however, noted softer job demand in sectors such as agriculture and trade. – Rappler.com