The number of unemployed Filipinos rose to 2.5 million in May, pushing the national jobless rate to 4.8 percent from 4.6 percent in April, according to a report by Philstar Biz. This means nearly five in every 100 Filipino workers were without jobs during the month.
The increase in unemployment comes despite the government's ongoing efforts to create more jobs through infrastructure spending and investment incentives. Analysts noted that seasonal factors and slow hiring in the services and manufacturing sectors may have contributed to the uptick.
The data highlights the persistent challenge of generating sufficient employment for the country's growing labor force. Policymakers are expected to focus on skills training and leveraging digital economy opportunities to boost job creation in the coming months.