MANILA, Philippines — Unemployment in the country reached its highest level in over three years in January, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
On Friday, the PSA reported that unemployment rose to 5.8 percent in the first month of the year, higher than the 4.4 percent recorded in December and the 4.3 percent unemployment rate in January 2025.
This was also highest since the 6.0 percent unemployment rate in June 2022.
Underemployment rose to 13.2 percent from 8.0 percent in December 2025 and 13.3 percent in January 2025.
Employment fell to 94.2 percent, lower than the 95.6 percent in December and the 95.7 percent rate in January 2025.
Labor force participation in January was recorded at 62.3 percent, lower than the 64.4 percent in December and 63.9 percent in January 2025.
