A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey has brought to light a concerning increase in unemployment rates in the Philippines. In December 2023, the number of jobless Filipinos surged to 9.4 million, up from 7.9 million in September of the same year. This marks a significant rise, with the unemployment rate reaching 19.5% of the adult labor force, a jump of 2.6 percentage points from 16.9% in the previous quarter.
Unemployment affected more women, with a 26% joblessness rate, compared to 15% among men. The increase was observed across the nation, with the exception of Balance Luzon, where numbers remained stable.
The survey, which defines the labor force as adults aged 18 and above who are either employed or actively seeking employment, also highlighted a positive note with the labor force participation rate climbing to 65.7%, indicating an estimated 48.3 million people. This is an increase from September 2023’s rate of 63.3%, or an estimated 46.5 million.
This rise in unemployment comes despite the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reporting a decrease in jobless individuals in December 2023, attributing it to seasonal labor demand during the holiday season. However, SWS has noted significant differences in how it and the PSA define and measure employment, contributing to discrepancies in their reported rates.
The SWS survey, conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults across the Philippines, offers a crucial insight into the current employment landscape, reflecting the challenges and trends in the nation’s job market.