By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a briefing on Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shared the results of the July 2026 Labor Force Survey, which showcased mixed results in the various parameters that determine the health of the country’s workforce.
The labor force participation rate (LFPR) increased to 63.6%, higher than the 60.7% in July 2025 and the 62.7% in April 2026—the equivalent of 52.36 million Filipinos aged 15 and above contributing to the nation’s bottom line.
Moreover, the unemployment rate was estimated at 6.0% in July 2026, higher than the 5.3% recorded in July 2025 and the 4.7% in April 2026—accounting for 3.14 million individuals without jobs.
Figures for the employment and underemployment rates were pegged at 94% and 12.9%, respectively, which are both lower than the percentages recorded in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, in a media release, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) noted that these numbers simultaneously represent progress and challenge in the labor sector, especially in light of recent developments such as rising inflationary pressures.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized the importance of strategies needed to ensure that workers and businesses can adapt to changing labor market needs as well as economic, technological, and climate-related challenges.
Priority interventions include providing targeted support to micro, small, and medium enterprises, strengthening climate risk management in vulnerable sectors, attracting investments in high-growth industries, and expanding upskilling opportunities and pathways to formal employment.
Sec. Balisacan concluded, “Long-term employment resilience depends on our ability to prepare for change rather than react to it. By investing in skills, innovation, and business competitiveness today, we can create a workforce that is ready for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.”
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