The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported a decline in the number of unemployed Filipinos in March 2026, reflecting a slight easing in labor market conditions.
Data from the latest Labor Force Survey show that jobless individuals aged 15 and above dropped to 2.58 million from 2.66 million in February 2026.
This placed the unemployment rate at 5 percent out of a labor force of 51.65 million, equivalent to about 50 in every 1,000 Filipinos without jobs or livelihood during the period.
Despite the month-on-month improvement, the year-to-date unemployment rate averaged 5.3 percent, exceeding the government’s target range of 4 to 5 percent for 2026 to 2028.
Meanwhile, total employment declined to 49.07 million in March from 49.43 million in the previous month, indicating a contraction in the number of working Filipinos.
The employment rate was recorded at 95 percent, slightly higher than the 94.9 percent posted in February.
However, underemployment rose to 12.3 percent from 11.8 percent, suggesting that more workers were seeking additional hours or better-paying opportunities.
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development said the government continues to implement measures aimed at preserving jobs and expanding social protection for vulnerable sectors.
It said efforts include improving job-skills matching, reskilling displaced workers, and accelerating the delivery of assistance through digital platforms, along with regulatory relief such as loan payment grace periods and deferred agricultural loan obligations. Financing support has also been extended through programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Landbank, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) .
The agency added that assistance for overseas Filipino workers affected by the Middle East crisis remains ongoing, including repatriation, legal aid, and reintegration programs. As of April 28, around 8,139 workers have returned to the country, while more than 292,000 local jobs and 206,000 overseas opportunities are available to support their re-employment.