MANILA – The unemployment rate in the Philippines remained at 4.8 percent in February as in January even as more Filipinos were taking part in the labor force, either as jobholders or seekers, according to preliminary data at the Philippine Statistics Authority.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa said that in February, the number of Filipinos 15 years old and above and who are participating in the labor market–available to work or run a business– rose to 51.27 million.
This meant an increase of 2.67 million compared with February 2022 and 1.55 million compared with January 2023.
“A substantial portion of the added participants did find jobs, but a smaller portion failed to get jobs,” Mapa said.
In February, there were 2.47 million Filipinos who were available for work but had no jobs nor businesses.
This represents a decrease of 651,000 compared with February 2022, but an increase of 102,000 compared with January 2023. (Ronnel W. Domingo © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
