The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is optimistic that labor participation will improve in the last quarter of 2025, buoyed by the seasonal increase in demand during the holidays.
National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said in a briefing Thursday that the number of employed Filipinos is projected to reach around 50 million by December 2025, higher than the monthly average recorded earlier in the year.
“Yes, the holiday season, going into the fourth quarter, would have additional increase in terms of workers,” Mapa said, noting the annual spike in employment across retail, services, and other holiday-driven sub-sectors.
For September 2025, the employment rate rose slightly to 96.2 percent from August’s 96.1 percent, though marginally lower than the 96.3 percent recorded a year earlier.
Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate (LFPR) — which covers individuals aged 15 and above — declined to 64.5 percent from 65.7 percent in August and 65.1 percent in September 2024.
Mapa explained that the decline was largely due to students leaving temporary jobs as classes resumed, household helpers prioritizing family duties, and jobseekers still awaiting employment offers.
He added that employment in the domestic services sector fell by about 573,000, accounting for a large portion of the LFPR drop.
Despite this, Mapa said the outlook for the final quarter remains positive, as seasonal hiring in retail, hospitality, and transport traditionally boosts employment during the Christmas season.