The number of unemployed Filipinos rose to 2.50 million in May 2026, pushing the country's unemployment rate up to 4.8%, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PSA National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the biggest job losses were recorded in the agriculture and forestry sector, which lost approximately 905,000 jobs due to poor weather conditions, including the effects of El Niño.

Despite the rise in unemployment, the PSA said underemployment improved, as more Filipinos were able to work longer hours per week.

"In terms of number naman, ang number of unemployed persons averaged mula January to May 2026, ito ay mga nasa 2.62 million, kumpara naman nung January to May 2025 na nasa 2.03 million. So those are the numbers and averages in terms of unemployment rates for the period January to May 2025 and 2026." — Claire Dennis Mapa, PSA National Statistician

(In terms of numbers, the number of unemployed persons averaged from January to May 2026 at around 2.62 million, compared to January to May 2025, which was at 2.03 million. So those are the numbers and averages in terms of unemployment rates for the period January to May 2025 and 2026.)

"Visible underemployment has really dropped. It has dropped by 664,000 year-on-year. We know that visible underemployment." — Claire Dennis Mapa, PSA National Statistician

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