The employment rate in the Philippines in August 2026 dropped to 94.7%, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

Based on the 94.7% data issued by the PSA, the services sector has the highest employment at 61.7%. This was followed by the agricultural sector at 20.9% and the industry sector at 17.3%.

The top three sub-sectors with the highest employment are:

• Wholesale and retail trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles - 19.0%
• Agriculture and Forestry - 18.6%
• Construction - 10.3%

In terns of annual increase, the following sectors recorded the highest employment gains:

• Agriculture and Forestry: 532,000
• Education: 298,000
• Accommodation and Food Service Activities: 195,000
• Transportation and Storage: 185,000
• Human Health and Social Work Activities: 142,000

Meanwhile, the following sectors logged the highest annual employment drops: 

• Manufacturing: - 350,000
• Fishing and Aquaculture: - 335,000
• Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles: - 269,000
• Public Administration and Defense; Compulsory Social Security: - 220,000
• Other Service Activities: - 212,000

In August 2025, the PSA recorded a 96.1% employment rate, slightly higher than the current 94.7% figure.