(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.
Read: Aquino wants gov’t to speed up spending for 2015
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.”
Read: Philippines has most resilient economy – study
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.
“As the president has repeatedly said, the Filipino people are our nation’s greatest resource,” Lacierda said. “His virtuous cycle of growth and empowerment is evident in figures such as this, which show the cumulative effect of gains we have achieved in recent years.”
