MANILA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' unemployment rate rose to 5.8 percent in January, with 2.96 million Filipinos out of work, according to data released Friday by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The January 2026 unemployment rate is higher than the 4.3 percent unemployment rate recorded in January 2025, the data showed.
Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that the Philippine government is stepping up its support for the country's workforce amid rising global uncertainties.
"Given elevated geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties, strategic policies are needed to bolster labor market resilience," said Balisacan, adding that the government will provide immediate relief to affected workers amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
