The Philippine labor market showed a modest recovery in April 2026, with the unemployment rate dipping to 4.7 percent from the 5.0 percent recorded in March, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Data from the PSA revealed that the number of jobless Filipinos decreased to an estimated 2.41 million, down from 2.58 million the previous month. The dip suggests a steady expansion of job opportunities, even as the country navigates economic headwinds like the energy crisis and elevated living expenses.
Concurrently, the national employment rate edged up to 95.3 percent, meaning roughly 48.89 million citizens were engaged in economic work during April.
Despite the positive month-on-month momentum, the current job market still lags behind its performance from the previous year. The 4.7 percent jobless rate in April 2026 remains notably higher than the 4.1 percent reported in April 2025.
Underemployment also emerged as a growing concern on a year-on-year basis. The underemployment rate climbed to 15.2 percent, up from 14.6 percent in April 2025. This indicates that approximately 7.41 million employed individuals are actively seeking longer working hours, additional jobs, or higher-quality employment to augment their income.
The latest figures highlight a dual reality for the local workforce: while more Filipinos managed to secure employment in April, the quality of available jobs remains an issue, forcing millions to look for better positions to keep up with their financial needs.