The unemployment rate in the Philippines was estimated at 8.7% in April 2021. This was far lower than the record high 17.6% in April 2020 when the pandemic first hit, but higher than the 7.1% reported in March 2021, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The total number of unemployed persons 15 years old and over in April 2021 was registered at 4.14 million. It was lower by 3.09 million from the number of unemployed persons in April 2020 (7.23 million).

The data found that men had a higher underemployment rate at 19.0% compared to women at 14.6%.

The underemployment rate or employed persons who expressed desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work was recorded at 17.2% in April 2021. This was lower than the 18.9% reported in April 2020 but higher than the January 2021 estimate of 16.0%.

The employment rate in the country posted a month-on-month decline in April 2021 when Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)/Modified ECQ was re-imposed in the National Capital Region and nearby areas: from a 92.9% employment rate in March 2021, it dropped to 91.3% this April 2021. By comparison, the employment rate in April 2020 stood at 82.4%

The employment rate for men was 91.5% and 90.9% for women for the same period. 

A total of 43.27 million Filipinos aged 15 years old and over were employed in April 2021, out of the 47.41 million who were in the labor force in the same period. 

By broad industry group, the services sector continued to account for the largest share of employed persons with 57.4%. The agriculture and the industry sectors accounted for 24.4% and 18.2% of employed persons, respectively.

By broad industry group, the services sector continued to account for the largest share of employed persons with 57.4%. The agriculture and the industry sectors accounted for 24.4 percent and 18.2% of employed persons, respectively.

The country’s labour force participation rate in April 2021 was placed at 63.2%, translating to 47.41 million who are either employed or unemployed. This is higher than the rate in the same period last year at 55.7% but lower than the rate a month ago at 65.0%.

Among men and women, the labour force participation rate was higher among men at 75.0% compared to women at 51.4% in April 2021.

Meanwhile, the average weekly hours worked of an employed person increased to 38.0 hours per week in April 2021 from 35.0 hours per week in April 2020. It was, however, lower than the 39.3 hours per week in January 2021.