Fewer unemployed in March –PSA

Metro Manila, Philippines – The number of jobless Filipinos in March slightly dropped to 2.58 million from 2.66 million in February, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. 

In a briefing on Wednesday, May 6, PSA chief and National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the unemployment rate was at 5 percent of the 51.65-million strong labor force. 

The agency said the year-to-date unemployment rate is at 5.3%, breaching the government ceiling of 5%.  

Preference for schooling, household duties

The PSA said a growing number of people stayed out of the labor force in March as more opted to study or take on family duties instead of seeking employment.

Maps said 394,000 people chose to pursue education, while 143,000 others stayed at home for other responsibilities. 

“May mga dagdag rin tayo sa reason na [There’s also an additional reason that] they feel that there’s no work available,” the PSA chief noted. 

In terms of age profile, Mapa said the majority of the unemployed are in the 15-24 age bracket, which saw a rise of at least 200,000 people; 183,000 more in the 55-62 age bracket; and 175,000 in the 25-34 range.