Grabe, Almost 3 Million Pinoys Walang Trabaho — Unemployment Hits 5.8%, Worst in Nearly 4 Years
Nearly three million Filipinos started 2026 without a job, as the country's unemployment rate surged to 5.8% in January — the highest level since June 2022. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), that's 2.96 million jobless workers out of a total labor force, a sharp jump from the 4.3% recorded in January 2025.
The agriculture and forestry sector took the biggest hit, shedding a staggering 1.42 million jobs. PSA Deputy National Statistician Divina Grace del Prado blamed the losses on post-holiday seasonal slowdowns and weather disturbances that devastated farming communities. Meanwhile, underemployment also rose to 13.2%, meaning 6.35 million Filipinos are working but want or need more hours.
On the brighter side, some sectors saw hiring gains — administration and support services added 403,000 jobs, public administration grew by 342,000, and manufacturing gained 326,000 new positions. But these weren't enough to offset the massive losses in agriculture.
Economists are warning things could get worse before they get better, especially with the ongoing Middle East conflict driving up oil prices. Del Prado noted that when oil prices soar, companies tend to freeze hiring or even lay off workers — and OFWs could face repatriation, adding more pressure to the local labor market.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government is focusing on diversifying growth drivers, attracting investment in high-productivity sectors, and equipping displaced workers — including repatriated OFWs — with skills for higher-value jobs or entrepreneurship. "Our priority is clear: create more and better jobs at home," Balisacan said.
Source: Rappler
