Summary:
 

• Labor force population in April 2003 decreased by 1.2 percent to 34.6 million from 35.1 million in April last year. The labor force participation rate, likewise, declined by 2.8 percentage points, from 69.9 percent in April 2002 to 67.1 percent in April this year.

• Employed persons was estimated at 30.4 million in April 2003, slightly up by 0.8 percent over the same period last year. The employment rate, likewise, increased by 1.7 percentage points, from 86.1 percent last year to 87.8 percent this year.

  • Employment in agriculture increased by 1.2 percent to 11.2 million in April 2003 from 11.0 million a year ago. Its proportion to total employed increased to 36.7 percent from 36.5 percent.

  • In industry, employment increased by 40 thousand or by 0.8 percent. However, its share to total employed remained at 16.0 percent.

  • Employment in services increased by 64 thousand or by 0.4 percent. Its share to total employed, however, decreased by 0.1 percentage point, from 47.5 percent in April last year to 47.4 percent this year.

• Unemployment rate decreased to 12.2 percent in April this year from 13.9 percent in April last year.

• Underemployment rate decreased by 4.0 percentage points, from 19.6 percent in April last year to 15.6 percent this year.

 
HIGHLIGHTS

Of the 51.6 million persons 15 years old and over, there were those who were in the labor force and those who were not....

• The number of persons in the labor force in April 2003 decreased by 1.2 percent to 34.6 million from 35.1 million in April last year.

• The labor force participation rate (LFPR), likewise, declined to 67.1 percent in April this year from 69.9 percent of the same period last year.

• The LFPR for males was higher than that of females, both in April 2002 and April 2003. Cagayan Valley recorded the highest LFPR for males in April 2003 at 89.9 percent, while for females, LFPR was highest in Northern Mindanao at 68.3 percent.

• The lowest LFPR for males was observed in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Visayas at 76.9 percent. The lowest LFPR for females was recorded in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) at 35.6 percent.

• An increase of 12.2 percent or 1.8 million was noted in the number of persons not joining the labor force. These included housewives, students, disabled, and retired persons.

Of the 34.6 million persons in the labor force, there were those who were employed and those who were not...

• The number of employed persons in April 2003 increased by 0.8 percent to 30.4 million in April this year from 30.2 million of the same period last year.

• The corresponding employment rate increased to 87.8 percent in April 2003 from 86.1 in April 2002.

Of the 51.6 million persons 15 years old and over, 59.0 percent were employed...

• The proportion of the total employed to total population 15 years old and over was estimated at 59.0 percent in April 2003. This was 1.2 percentage points lower than the proportion recorded in April 2002.

• Most of the regions registered decreases in employment population ratio with Central Visayas posting the highest decrease at 4.1 percentage points. This was followed by Bicol with a decrease of 3.7 percentage points. Eastern Visayas came next with a decrease of 2.9 percentage points. The other regions with decreased employment population ratio were NCR (54.2 percent to 52.9 percent), Ilocos (57.2 percent to 55.6 percent), Calabarzon (58.4 percent to 55.9 percent), Western Visayas (59.9 percent to 59.1 percent), Eastern Visayas (69.3 percent to 66.4 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (59.9 percent to 58.0 percent), Davao (64.2 percent to 62.8 percent), Soccsksargen (62.9 percent to 62.3 percent), and Caraga (65.2 percent to 64.8).

• Only five regions showed increases in employment population ratio with Central Luzon posting the highest increase at 2.1 percentage points (55.3 percent to 57.4 percent).

Of the 30.4 million persons employed, there were those either working in agriculture, industry or services...

• All sectors contributed to the increase in employment level with the agriculture sector sharing the bulk. The number of employed persons in the agriculture sector was estimated at 11.2 million in April 2003, increasing by 130 thousand or by 1.2 percent. Its share to total employed increased to 36.7 percent in April this year from 36.5 percent in April last year.

• Those employed in the services sector exhibited an increase of 64 thousand to 14.4 million from 14.3 million. However, its share to total employed declined by 0.1 percentage point, from 47.5 percent to 47.4 percent.

• An increase of 40 thousand (0.8 percent) employed persons was noted in the industry sector from 4.8 million in April last year to 4.9 million this year. Its share to total employed remained at 16.0 percent.

The employed in agriculture...

• Employment in the agriculture sector increased both in number and proportion to total employed. Workers in this sector increased by 130 thousand (1.2 percent). Its share to total employment slightly increased by 0.2 percentage point, from 36.5 percent to 36.7 percent.

• Unpaid family workers contributed largely to this increase at 187 thousand. Own-account workers increased by 117 thousand while wage and salary workers decreased in number by 173 thousand.

The employed in services...

• Employment in the services sector was recorded at 14.4 million in April 2003. It posted an increase of 0.4 percent from last year's level of 14.3 million.

• The transport, storage and communication subsector posted the highest increase in employment at 183 thousand or by 8.7 percent. This increase was contributed largely by wage and salary workers at 97 thousand. Own-account workers under this subsector also increased by 95 thousand. However, the number of unpaid family workers under this subsector declined by 9 thousand.

• The other groups that registered increases in employment were hotels and restaurants (29 thousand); other community, social, and personal service activities (24 thousand); public administration and defense, compulsory social security (21 thousand); education (21 thousand); health and social work (16 thousand); and real estate, renting and business activities (11 thousand).

• On the other hand, the groups that recorded decreases in employment levels were wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods (137 thousand); private households with employed persons (88 thousand); and financial intermediation (15 thousand).

The employed in industry...

• Employment in the industry sector increased to 4.9 million in April 2003 from 4.8 million last year. Its share to total employed remained at 16.0 percent.

• The combined losses of 43 thousand workers in mining and quarrying and manufacturing were offset by the increased number of workers posted in construction (81 thousand) and electricity, gas and water (2 thousand).

The employed by occupation...

• Occupation-wise, plant and machine operators and assemblers registered the largest increase in employment level at 196 thousand. Its share to total employed also increased by 0.6 percentage point, from 7.1 percent in April 2002 to 7.7 percent in April this year.

• Officials of government and special interest organizations, corporate executives, managers, managing proprietors and supervisors recorded the next largest increase of 112 thousand, from 3.2 million to 3.3 million.

• Technicians and associate professionals came next with an increase of 60 thousand; laborers and unskilled workers at 48 thousand; farmers, forestry workers, and fishermen at 29 thousand; while clerks and professionals registered only a slight increase of two (2) thousand and one (1) thousand, respectively.

• The occupational groups that experienced a decline in employment were service workers and shop and market sales workers (130 thousand); and trades and related workers (95 thousand).

Of the 30.4 million employed, there were those who were paid wages and salaries, worked on their account, or worked for the family...

• The 232 thousand increment in the April 2003 employment can be attributed to the increase among own-account workers which include self-employed workers and employers. The number of own-account workers rose to 11.7 million in April this year from 11.4 million of the same period last year. Most of these own-account workers were employed in the services sector particularly in transport, storage and communication subsector.

• The number of unpaid family workers increased by 32 thousand (0.8 percent). However, its share to total employed remained at 13.6 percent.

• Wage and salary workers decreased by 0.5 percent (76 thousand) with the agriculture sector contributing much to the decrease at 173 thousand. The proportion of wage and salary workers to total employment decreased by 0.6 percentage point, from 48.7 percent to 48.1 percent.

The employed by region...

• Twelve out of seventeen administrative regions exhibited employment growth with Central Luzon posting the highest increment of 187 thousand. Northern Mindanao and ARMM ranked second and third with an increase of 46 thousand and 35 thousand, respectively. Zamboanga Peninsula registered the least increase in employment at two (2) thousand.

• Fifteen regions showed increases in employment rate. Both the NCR and Central Luzon recorded the highest increase in employment rate at 3.3 percentage points. The other regions with increased employment rates were Ilocos (84.8 percent to 88.0 percent), Bicol (87.6 percent to 90.4 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (88.9 percent to 91.4 percent), Davao (87.3 percent to 89.6 percent), Mimaropa (86.0 percent to 87.9 percent), Central Visayas (84.6 percent to 86.3 percent), Soccsksargen (86.5 percent to 87.8 percent), Cagayan Valley (89.4 percent to 90.6 percent), Northern Mindanao (89.1 percent to 90.2 percent), Cordillera Administrative Region or CAR (89.6 percent to 90.5 percent), Western Visayas (86.6 percent to 87.5 percent), Eastern Visayas (89.8 percent to 90.6 percent), and ARMM (91.7 percent to 92.3 percent).

• Out of the seventeen regions, only Calabarzon and Caraga showed decreases in employment rates. Calabarzon posted a decrease of 1.0 percentage point, from 87.3 percent to 86.3 percent while Caraga decreased by 0.6 percentage point, from 88.4 percent to 87.8 percent.

The employed by number of hours worked...

• Full-time workers or those who worked for 40 hours or more decreased to 17.4 million in April 2003, from 17.8 million in April last year. Its share to total employment, likewise, decreased by 1.6 percentage points, from 58.9 percent to 57.3 percent.

• Those who worked for less than 40 hours increased in number and proportion to total employment. The number increased to 12.3 million in April 2003 from 11.5 million last year. The proportion also increased by 2.4 percentage points, from 38.0 percent to 40.4 percent.

Of the employed, there were those who desired more hours of work, the underemployed...

• The number of underemployed persons or those who desired additional hours of work decreased by 1.2 million, from 5.9 million in April 2002 to 4.7 million in April this year. The corresponding underemployment rate declined to 15.6 percent this year from 19.6 percent last year.

• More underemployed persons were found in the rural areas than in the urban. Around 3.0 million (64.0 percent of the total) were registered in rural areas while 1.7 million (36.0 percent) were recorded in urban areas.

• All sectors exhibited decreases in underemployment with the services sector posting the highest decrease at 506 thousand (23.4 percent), while the agriculture sector decreased its underemployment level by 385 thousand (14.2 percent). The industry sector decreased by 298 thousand (28.7 percent).

And there were those who looked for work and did not find any, the unemployed...

• The unemployment rate in April 2003 was estimated at 12.2 percent. This was 1.7 percentage points lower than the estimate recorded last year.

• Ten regions posted a double-digit unemployment rate with the NCR posting the highest rate at 17.0 percent. This was followed by Calabarzon and Central Visayas, both with 13.7 percent.

• Unemployment levels decreased by 13.3 percent, from 4.9 million in April 2003 to 4.2 million in April this year.

• The unemployment rate for males was lower than that of females, both in April 2002 and April 2003.

• The unemployment rate for males in April 2003 was registered at 11.9 percent, 0.7 percentage point lower than that of females. While, in April 2002, unemployment rate for males was recorded at 13.0 percent, 2.2 percentage points lower that of females.

• Region-wise, the NCR posted the highest unemployment rate of 18.7 percent for males and Soccsksargen with 15.8 percent for females. This was followed by Calabarzon with 14.9 percent for males and NCR with 14.8 percent for females. On the other hand, the ARMM obtained the lowest unemployment rate for males at 5.2 percent while CAR had the lowest unemployment rate for females at 9.5 percent.

Technical Notes

• Starting with the April 2002 round of the Labor Force Survey, the generation of the labor force and employment statistics adopted the regional grouping under Executive Order (EO) No. 36 which was signed last September 19, 2001. This EO provided for the reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao.

• Basilan, which is now under ARMM by EO 36, shall remain as part of Region IX until the upcoming revision of master sample, wherein Basilan is transferred to ARMM except Isabela City which will be retained in Region IX.

• The province of Lanao del Norte and Iligan City, which were formerly under Region XII, are now under Region X.

• The province of South Cotabato and the new province of Sarangani, General Santos City and Koronadal City, which were formerly under Region XI, are now under Region XII.

• Marawi City, which was formerly under Region XII, is now under the administrative supervision of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

• Given the new set up, the composition of the following regions are as follows:

Source:  Income and Employment Statistics Division
              Household Statistics Department
              National Statistics Office
              Manila, Philippines