(CNN Philippines) — Jobless Filipinos — those without work at present and looking for a job — fell to about nine million during the first three months of the year, according to the First Quarter 2015 Survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The figure amounts to a rate of 19.1% and represents a steep drop from the 27.5% registered in December 2014, as well as last year’s average of 25.4%. It’s the lowest joblesness rating for the Aquino administration since the 18.9% registered in September 2010.
However, the pollster found a significant gender gap in joblessness — more than one in four (27.6%) of females were without work, compared to only 12.2% of males.
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With a current figure of 50.2%, only the 18-24 age group saw an increase in joblessness from the previous quarter’s 48%. Rates for the 25-34, 35-44, and 45+ groups stand at 28.1%, 16%, and 7.9%, respectively.
Of the total number of respondents, SWS found that 4% never worked, 7% voluntarily left their posts, 3% saw their employers close down, 4% had their contracts not renewed, and 1% were laid off.
Nevertheless, job optimism has slightly increased. About 38% of respondents compared to last quarter’s 36% believe that there will be more jobs over the next 12 months.
The pollster also clarified that “Those without a job but not looking for one, such as housewives, retirees, differently abled, and students, are excluded from the labor force.”
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In a statement, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesperson, said that the survey results are consistent with the government’s January 2015 Labor Force Survey, which also indicated a decrease in unemployment.
