Summary:
 

• Labor force population in January 2003 increased by 1.8 percent to 33.7 million from 33.1 million in January last year. Labor force participation rate slightly declined by 0.7 percentage point, from 66.4 percent in January 2002 to 65.7 percent in January this year.

• Employed persons was estimated at 30.1 million in January 2003, up by 1.4 percent over the same period last year. The employment rate, however, slightly dropped by 0.3 percentage point, from 89.7 percent last year to 89.4 percent this year.

  • Employment in agriculture increased by 1.3 percent to 11.1 million in January 2003 from 11.0 million a year ago. Its proportion to total employed declined to 37.0 percent from 37.1 percent.

  • In industry, employment declined by 36 thousand or by 0.8 percent. Likewise, its share to total employed decreased by 0.4 percentage point.

  • Employment in services increased by 310 thousand or by 2.2 percent. Its share to total employed increased by 0.4 percentage point, from 47.5 percent in January last year to 47.9 percent this year.

• Unemployment rate increased to 10.6 percent in January this year from 10.3 percent in January last year.

• Underemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage point, from 15.9 percent in January last year to 16.1 percent this year.

HIGHLIGHTS

Of the 51.3 million persons 15 years old and over, there were those who were in the labor force and those who were not....

• About 33.7 million persons were in the labor force population in January 2003, increasing the number by 1.8 percent from its level of 33.1 million a year ago.

• The labor force participation rate (LFPR), however, slightly decreased by 0.7 percentage point, from 66.4 percent in January last year to 65.7 percent in January this year.

• The LFPR for males was higher than that of females, both in January 2002 and January 2003. Soccsksargen recorded the highest LFPR for males at 84.6 percent, while for females, LFPR was highest in Northern Mindanao at 62.8 percent.

• The lowest LFPR for males was observed in the National Capital Region at 77.0 percent, for females, it was recorded in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 34.5 percent.

• Persons not in the labor force, like housewives, students, disabled and retired persons increased by 860 thousand or 5.1 percent, from 16.7 million a year ago to 17.6 million this year.

Of the 33.7 million persons in the labor force, there were those who were employed and those who were not...

• The number of employed persons in January 2003 increased by 1.4 percent to 30.1 million in January this year from 29.7 million of the same period last year.

• Despite of the increase in employment by 414 thousand, the employment rate dropped by 0.3 percentage point, from 89.7 percent in January 2002 to 89.4 percent in January 2003.

Of the 30.1 million persons employed, there were those either working in agriculture, industry or services...

• The services sector contributed much to the increase in employment. The number of employed persons in this sector increased by 310 thousand or by 2.2 percent, registering at 14.4 million in January this year as compared to 14.1 million in January last year. Its share to total employed also increased by 0.4 percentage point, from 47.5 percent to 47.9 percent.

• Employment in the agricultural sector also increased its level by 140 thousand or by 1.3 percent, from 11.0 million a year ago to 11.1 million this year. Its share, however, to total employed persons decreased to 37.0 percent from 37.1 percent.

• The industry sector suffered a decline in employment during the reference period. The number of employed persons in this sector decreased by 36 thousand (0.8 percent). Its share to total employed persons decreased by 0.4 percentage point, from 15.5 percent to 15.1 percent.

The employed in services....

• Employment in the services sector was recorded at 14.4 million in January 2003. It posted an increase of 2.2 percent from last year�s level of 14.1 million.

• The wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods subsector posted the highest increase in employment at 95 thousand or by 1.7 percent. This increase was contributed largely by own-account workers at 151 thousand. Wage and salary workers under this subsector increased by six (6) thousand. However, the number of unpaid family workers under this subsector declined by 63 thousand.

• Transport, storage and communication posted the second highest increase in employment with 85 thousand or 3.9 percent. Most of them were wage and salary workers.

• The other groups that registered increases were hotels and restaurants (43 thousand), public administration and defense, compulsory social security (39 thousand), education (26 thousand), real estate, renting and business activities (23 thousand) and health and social work (17 thousand).

• On the other hand, the groups that recorded decreases in employment levels were financial intermediation (14 thousand), other community, social and personal service activities (six thousand) and private households with employed persons (one thousand).

The employed in agriculture...

• Employment in the agriculture sector increased by 140 thousand (1.3 percent). Its share to total employment decreased to 37.0 percent.

• Own-account workers contributed largely to the increase in the number of employed persons in the agriculture sector with 91 thousand. Unpaid family workers increased by 73 thousand while wage and salary workers decreased in number by 24 thousand.

The employed in industry�

• Employment in the industry sector declined both in number and proportion to total employed persons. The number of employed persons in this sector decreased by 0.8 percent to 4.56 million in January 2003 from 4.60 million a year earlier. Its share to total employed persons also decreased by 0.4 percentage point, from 15.5 percent to 15.1 percent.

• Employment in construction increased by 47 thousand while the other industries suffered a decline in employment with the manufacturing subsector registering the highest decrease at 63 thousand. Mining and quarrying and electricity, gas and water decreased by 17 thousand and three thousand, respectively.

The employed by occupation�

• Occupation-wise, officials of government and special interest organizations, corporate executives, managers, managing proprietors and supervisors registered the largest increase in employment level at 305 thousand. Its share to total employed also increased by 0.9 percentage point, from 10.3 percent in January 2002 to 11.2 percent in January this year. Laborers and unskilled workers recorded the next largest increase of 214 thousand, from 8.9 million to 9.1 million. Plant and machine operators and assemblers ranked third with 94 thousand. Technicians and associate professionals came next with an increase of 75 thousand while the clerks registered only a slight increase of eight (8) thousand.

• The occupational groups that experienced a decline in employment were service workers and shop and market sales workers (137 thousand), trades and related workers (112 thousand), farmers, forestry workers and fishermen (36 thousand) and professionals (8 thousand).

Of the 30.1 million employed, there were those who were paid wages and salaries, worked on their account, or worked for the family...

• The 414 thousand increment in the January 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 11.6 million in January this year from 11.3 million of the same period last year. Most of these own-account workers were employed in the services sector particularly in the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods subsector.

• Wage and salary workers increased by 0.7 percent (96 thousand) with the services sector contributing much to the increase at 186 thousand. However, the proportion of wage and salary workers to total employment decreased by 0.3 percentage point, from 48.5 percent to 48.2 percent.

• The number of unpaid family workers decreased by 14 thousand (0.3 percent). Likewise, its share to total employed decreased by 0.4 percentage point, from 13.6 percent to 13.3 percent.

The employed by region...

• Fourteen out of seventeen administrative regions exhibited employment growth with Western Visayas posting the highest increment of 75 thousand. Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula registered second and third with an increase of 50 thousand and 45 thousand, respectively. Cordillera Administrative Region registered the least increase in employment at seven thousand.

• Most of the regions showed decreases in employment rates with Central Visayas leading among the regions. It posted a decrease of 1.8 percentage points.

• Only seven regions showed minimal increases in employment rate. Caraga recorded the highest increase in employment rate, from 88.9 percent to 90.7 percent. The other regions with increased employment rates were Central Luzon (88.4 percent to 89.0 percent), Bicol (92.0 percent to 92.1 percent), Western Visayas (91.2 percent to 91.3 percent), Eastern Visayas (91.2 percent to 91.8 percent), Davao (90.2 percent to 91.3 percent), and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (94.2 percent to 94.3 percent).

The employed by number of hours worked...

• Full-time workers or those who worked for 40 hours or more increased to 18.0 million in January 2003, from 17.9 million in January last year. However, its share to total employment decreased by 0.4 percentage point, from 60.2 percent to 59.8 percent.

• Those who worked for less than 40 hours increased in number and proportion to total employment. The number increased to 11.7 million in January 2003 from 11.3 million last year. The proportion also increased by 0.6 percentage point, from 38.1 percent to 38.7 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 increased by 125 thousand, from 4.7 million in January 2002 to 4.8 million in January this year. The corresponding underemployment rate increased to 16.1 percent this year from 15.9 percent last year.

• More underemployed persons were found in the rural areas than in the urban. Around 3.2 million (65.1 percent of the total) were registered in rural areas while 1.7 million (34.9 percent) were recorded in urban areas.

• Both the agriculture and the services sectors exhibited increases in underemployment with the services sector posting the highest increase at 93 thousand (5.9 percent), while the agriculture sector increased its underemployment by 70 thousand (3.0 percent). The industry sector decreased by 42 thousand (5.3 percent).

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

• The unemployment rate in January 2003 was estimated at 10.6 percent. This was 0.3 percentage point higher than the estimate recorded last year.

• Five regions posted a double-digit unemployment rate with the National Capital Region posting the highest rate at 16.9 percent. This was followed by Calabarzon (13.2 percent), Ilocos (11.9 percent), Central Visayas (11.7 percent) and Central Luzon (11.0 percent).

• Unemployment levels increased by 4.9 percent, from 3.4 million in January 2002 to 3.6 million in January this year.

• The unemployment rate for males in January 2003 was registered at 10.6 percent , 0.1 percentage point higher than that of females. However, in January 2002, females recorded a higher unemployment rate at 10.4 percent.

• By region, the National Capital Region posted the highest unemployment rate of 19.5 percent for males and 13.4 percent for females, followed by Calabarzon with 14.0 percent for males and 12.3 percent for females in Ilocos. On the other hand, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao obtained the lowest unemployment rate for males at 3.2 percent while Cagayan Valley had the lowest unemployment rate for females at 5.7 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 Isabela City is formed as separate domain in the upcoming revision of the master sample.

• 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: National Statistics Office
             Manila, Philippines
 
Page last revised:  March 17, 2003