By Brian Campued
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday welcomed the increase in the number of employed Filipinos in June 2026, noting that the latest data reflects the government’s efforts to improve the Philippine labor market by creating more employment opportunities for jobseekers.
According to the latest Labor Force Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the employment rate in June this year was at 95.1% or equivalent to 50.66 million employed Filipinos—higher than the 49.63 million recorded in May.
During the same period, the country’s labor force expanded by 1.12 million, reaching 53.25 million and raising the labor force participation rate (LFPR) from 63.8% to 65.1%.
The PSA said the industries which recorded the largest increase in month-on-month employment figures include agriculture and forestry (+453,000); other service activities (+437,000); public administration and defense, and compulsory social security (+393,000); wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (+213,000); and education (+150,000).
DOLE said the latest figures also complement the employment gains highlighted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his 5th State of the Nation Address, including the nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs that offered nearly 300,000 vacancies and resulted in more than 6,000 hired-on-the-spot applicants.
The President also stressed the administration’s continued efforts to strengthen the education-to-employment pathways and equip Filipino workers with the necessary skills to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Meanwhile, the underemployment rate slightly improved to 12.1% in June from 12.2 % in May. Underemployed persons are those who wish to have additional work, another job, or longer work hours.
The unemployment rate, on the other hand, slightly increased to 4.9% in June from 4.8% in May. This is equivalent to 2.59 million Filipinos without jobs in June compared to 2.50 million in the previous month.
The top industries that recorded the largest drop in the number of employed individuals from May to June include the fishing and aquaculture (-207,000); manufacturing (-185,000); mining and quarrying (-106,000); human health and social work activities (-104,000); and
accommodation and food service activities (-104,000).
In a news release, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the positive employment data signals “greater confidence” among jobseekers, as this affirms the labor market’s capacity to accommodate a growing workforce.
He noted that while year-on-year figures show a different result, this reinforces the importance of advancing reforms that “raise both the quantity and quality of jobs.”
“Our task is not only to create more employment opportunities but to ensure that Filipinos are equipped for higher-value, future-ready work,” Tolentino said.
In line with the President’s directive, the DOLE chief vowed to continue fostering stronger partnerships with employers, educational institutions, local government units, Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), and other social partners to advance labor reforms that help Filipinos secure jobs, earn stable income, and improve their quality of life.
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