For millions of Filipinos the search for work is getting harder

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 08, 2026

Photo Courtesy: PPAO

PHILIPPINES – For millions of Filipinos, finding a job is more than a monthly statistic, it is the difference between a paycheck that pays the bills and another month of trying to make ends meet.

That struggle is becoming more visible as the country’s unemployment rate climbed to 6 percent in July, its highest level in more than four years. The figure translates to around 3.14 million Filipinos without work.

The jump came as more Filipinos entered the labor force, but the number of available jobs failed to keep pace. Employment fell to about 49.21 million, while the unemployment rate rose from 4.9 percent in June.

And for those who managed to find work, having a job does not always mean having enough.

Around 6.33 million workers were underemployed, meaning they were looking for additional hours, another job or better employment opportunities.

The figures come against a backdrop of a slowing economy. The country’s gross domestic product grew just 2.3 percent in the second quarter, its weakest quarterly performance since the pandemic.

That combination puts pressure on Filipino households already dealing with elevated prices. When work becomes harder to find and existing income is not enough, the impact reaches beyond employment figures and into food, rent, transportation and everyday family expenses.

The latest numbers therefore tell a story bigger than unemployment.

They tell the story of Filipinos still looking for a way to earn, workers searching for better opportunities, and families waiting for an economy that can create jobs that are not only available but enough to live on.