The unemployment rate in the Philippines in November 2024 was recorded at 3.2%, according to preliminary estimates by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

November’s 3.2% rate was lower than the unemployment rate in November 2023 at 3.6% and in October 2024 at 3.9%.

In terms of levels, the number of unemployed persons in November 2024 was recorded at 1.66 million. This was lower than the number of unemployed persons of 1.83 million in November 2023 and 1.97 million in October 2024.

Further data showed that in November 2024, the country’s employment rate was estimated at 96.8%. This was higher than the estimated employment rate of 96.4% in November 2023 and in October 2024 at 96.1%.

The number of employed individuals in November 2024 was recorded at 49.54 million. This was lower than the estimated number of employed persons of 49.64 million in November 2023. In October 2024, the number of employed individuals was posted at 48.16 million.

By broad industry group, the services sector continued as the top sector in terms of the number of employed persons with a share of 62.1% of the 49.54 million employed persons in November 2024. The agriculture and industry sectors accounted for 20.0% and 17.9% of the employed persons, respectively. 

Meanwhile, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) in November 2024 was estimated at 64.6%. This was lower than the estimated LFPR in November 2023 at 65.9%. In October 2024, the LFPR was estimated at 63.3%.

The reported LFPR in November 2024 translates to a total of 51.20 million Filipinos aged 15 years old and over who were in the labour force, or those who were either employed or unemployed. The number of individuals aged 15 years old and over who were in the labour force was 51.47 million in November 2023 and 50.12 million in October 2024.

On average, employed persons worked 41.1 hours per week. This was higher than the average hours worked in a week in November 2023 at 40.2 hours and in October 2024 at 41.0 hours per week.