The share of Filipinos aged 15 and above participating in the labor force declined to 64% in 2025, slightly lower than the previous year, based on data released March 19 by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Dr. Claire Dennis Mapa, undersecretary and national statistician who oversaw the report, said the figure represents 51.16 million people either employed or seeking work out of an estimated 79.86 million eligible adults.
Regional data showed disparities across the country. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recorded the highest labor force participation rate at 73.5%, while the Bicol Region posted the lowest at 59%.
Several areas fell below the national average, including Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
At the provincial level, Sulu stood out with a 90.2% participation rate, compared with just 50.9% in neighboring Tawi-Tawi. Among highly urbanized cities, Cotabato City led at 74.9%, while Isabela City registered the lowest at 49.7%.
Employment nationwide eased to 95.8%, equivalent to 49.01 million Filipinos with jobs. The Cordillera Administrative Region posted the highest employment rate at 97.3%, while CALABARZON recorded the lowest at 94.2%. Ilocos Norte topped provincial employment at 99.2%, while Basilan lagged at 90.9%.
Unemployment rose to 4.2%, or about 2.14 million Filipinos, up from 3.8% in 2024. CALABARZON had the highest regional unemployment rate at 5.8%, while the Cordillera Administrative Region posted the lowest at 2.7%.
At the provincial level, Basilan recorded the highest jobless rate at 9.1%, while Ilocos Norte had the lowest at 0.8%.
Among cities, Isabela City had the highest unemployment rate at 13.1%, while Cotabato City recorded the lowest at 2.2%.
Meanwhile, underemployment remained unchanged at 11.9%, or 5.82 million workers seeking additional hours or jobs. SOCCSKSARGEN posted the highest rate at 25%, while Davao Region recorded the lowest at 3.9%.