The unemployment rate in the Philippines dropped to an 18-year low of 3.6% in November of last year, as reported by the government. It was revealed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that this rate is lower than the figures for both November 2022 and October 2023, which stood at 4.2%. An estimated 1.83 million individuals were unemployed in November 2023, a decrease from 2.18 million in November 2022 and 2.09 million in October 2023.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) noted that this is the lowest recorded unemployment rate since the introduction of a new methodology of its measurement in the 2005 Labor Force Survey. However, the labor force participation rate fell to 65.9% from 67.5% in November 2022, equivalent to about 51.47 million Filipinos aged 15 years and older.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized the necessity of digitalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups to counteract the dwindling labor force and boost labor-market gains. He stated that regulatory reforms, such as the Apprenticeship Bill, Lifelong Learning Bill, and the Enterprise Productivity Act, should be implemented to support a more productive workforce.

In November of the same year, the underemployment rate, referring to those willing to work more hours or take on an additional job, decreased to 11.7% from 14.4%.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno expressed confidence in the continuous improvement of the unemployment figures due to implemented employment strategies and investment generation efforts. He stated that the government aims to achieve a 4-5% unemployment rate by 2028, through macroeconomic stability and fiscal consolidation.