Applicants troop to the job fair at Manila Science High School on May 1, 2025, in celebration of the 123rd Labor Day. The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development on Friday (June 6) vowed that the government would continue to push for reforms that would create more high-quality jobs. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
The number of employed Filipinos increased in April 2025, reflecting continued resilience in the labor market as the government advances with reforms aimed at generating more high-quality jobs.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), employment reached 48.67 million in April, up from 48.35 million during the same month last year. The employment rate stood at 95.9 percent.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa noted that job gains were recorded across several key sectors, including administrative and support services, public administration and defense, agriculture and forestry, construction, and education.
The underemployment rate was 14.6 percent, with 7.09 million workers seeking additional hours or better job opportunities. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate edged slightly higher to 4.1 percent from 4.0 percent a year earlier, with 2.06 million Filipinos reported as jobless.
Despite the marginal increase in unemployment, the labor market remains robust. “The Philippine labor market continues to show resilience amid global challenges,” said Rosemarie Edillon, officer-in-charge of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev). “We remain on track to achieve our target unemployment rate of 4.4 to 4.7 percent as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.”
Edillon said the implementation of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan and the entry of new investments are expected to further strengthen the labor market in the coming months.
The government is also rolling out several initiatives to boost worker employability. These include enhancing the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track in Senior High School, expanding the Government Internship Program for new graduates, and providing flexible skills training programs.
A key strategy involves deeper collaboration with the private sector through the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework. This approach focuses on developing digital, technical, and soft skills aligned with industry needs.
To keep the workforce competitive, Edillon emphasized the need to promote lifelong learning. The government plans to prioritize the development of a national policy for lifelong education and expand the implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program, which recognizes prior learning and work experience as formal qualifications.
Efforts are also underway to boost productivity in domestic industries, particularly those that offer higher-quality jobs. “Attracting more investments in manufacturing, higher-value-added services, and new markets is critical to expanding our economy and increasing job opportunities,” Edillon said.
She added that the recently formed Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council will support local firms in diversifying their product offerings and improving technological capabilities to meet global demand.
In parallel, the government will continue to invest in upskilling programs and ensure infrastructure readiness to support a dynamic and inclusive workforce.