Philippine unemployment rate falls to 3.9% in May

The unemployment rate in the Philippines decreased from 4.1% in April to 3.9% in May 2025, with 2.03 million Filipino workers now unemployed compared to 2.06 million in April.

Underemployment dropped from 14.6% in April to 13.1% in May but rose year-on-year from 9.9% in May 2024.

Key industries seeing employment growth include agriculture and forestry, which rebounded due to the harvest season, and wholesale and retail trade.

The manufacturing sector lost jobs for the second month in a row, shedding 374,000 positions, while construction saw a reduction of 298,000 jobs.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa attributed the growth in agriculture to the harvest season and highlighted job gains in corn growing, paddy rice cultivation, and spice production.

The Marcos Jr. administration welcomed these positive employment figures as evidence of progress under their labor policies.