Unemployment eases to 5.1% in February 2026 as admin sector adds jobs

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Around 572,000 jobs in industries such as business process outsourcing are added year-on-year

MANILA, Philippines – Unemployment in the Philippines eased to 5.1% or 2.66 million Filipinos in February amid a jump in new administrative jobs, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Wednesday, April 8.

The country’s latest jobless rate is lower than the 5.8% or 2.96 million unemployed Filipinos recorded last January, but higher than the 3.8% or 1.94 million Filipinos logged in February 2025.

Meanwhile, underemployment also eased to 11.8% in February, equivalent to 5.84 million Filipinos. This is lower than the 13.2% or 6.35 million underemployed Filipinos recorded in January, but higher than the 10.1% or 4.96 million Filipinos logged a year ago.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa attributed the easing of February’s jobless rate to the addition of 572,000 administrative and support service jobs year-on-year. Some of the top contributors include call center activities, temporary employment agency work, and the general cleaning of buildings.

Meanwhile, the transport sector added around 486,000 jobs, mostly in land transport.

Image from Philippine Statistics Authority

In contrast, wholesale and retail trade shed around 725,000 jobs in February, particularly in retail sales. The agriculture sector also bled some 523,000 jobs due to the loss of workers in the growing of leafy and fruit-bearing vegetables, corn (except young corn), and sugarcane.

Image from Philippine Statistics Authority

In the coming months, the conflict in the Middle East — which started on February 28 — may already affect the country’s labor data.

“The March Labor Force Survey was already completed, so we’ll see if the war would have an impact. And then we are already starting the April round of the Labor Force Survey, so in the next couple of months, we will see if this trend will continue,” Mapa said in a mix of English and Filipino.

In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government is stepping up to preserve jobs and build a more resilient labor market as the Middle East conflict hurts the local economy.

DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan vowed timely support for affected workers through cash assistance, as well as the rollout of the service contracting program and fuel subsidies for vulnerable workers in the transport sector.

During times of uncertainty, job quality may decrease as businesses resort to risk-averse options such as temporary employment and layoffs.

Balisacan also said that the government will strengthen efforts to promote renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure to ensure long-term resilience.

“We expect an accelerated transition towards other sources of fuel and energy. Thus, we are building the skills, investment, and innovation ecosystem to support this move. Skills training programs on the operations and maintenance of renewable energy facilities and electric vehicles, including the needed parts and components, will also be provided to displaced workers,” he said. – Rappler.com