Almost 1 million Filipinos have been employed for the month of October as various sectors of the economy gradually opened amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the number of unemployed for the month of October is 3.8 million or 8.7%. It is lower than the recorded number in July with 4.6 million or 10% and in April with 7.2 million or 17.6%.
The number of underemployed or the individuals who are currently working but also looking for other ways to earn money has also dropped to 5.7 million.
The National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest unemployment rate at 12.4%.
Extensive lay-offs were experienced by workers under the sectors of arts, entertainment, and recreation followed by the sector of accommodation and food service activities, and manufacturing.
In total, the average unemployment rate for the year 2020 is 10.4%, it is the lowest rate since 2005.
Report from Naomi Tiburcio
