MANILA -The unemployment rate in the Philippines increased to 4.5 percent in June with 2.33 million Filipinos available and looking for jobs, according to preliminary data at the Philippine Statistics Authority.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa said that last June, the number of jobseekers increased by 159,000 from 2.17 million in May when the jobless rate was at 4.3 percent.
However, compared to June 2022 when the unemployment rate was 6 percent, the number of jobless Filipinos decreased by 663,000.
Between June and May, the industries that contributed most to reducing the ranks of the jobless were construction (488,000 hired); agriculture and forestry (469,000); administrative and support service activities (308,000); public administration and defense (128,000); and accommodation and food service activities (104,000).
On the other hand, the industries where most jobs were lost include fishing and aquaculture (575,000 jobs); transportation and storage (205,000); arts, entertainment and recreation (124,000); real estate activities (99,000); and professional, scientific and technical activities (97,000).
READ: Jobless rate at 5-month low of 4.3% in May