Philippines Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Philippines's unemployment rate was 2.24% in 2025, ranked 21st globally. This represents a 41.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1985–2025.
Overview
Philippines's unemployment rate stood at 2.24% in 2025, a decline of +1.57pp from 2024. The IMF projects 3.87% by 2025. Philippines ranked 21st globally.
The Philippines has experienced significant improvements in its unemployment rate over the past four decades. The country's all-time low of 2.20% in 2023 marks a considerable decline from its peak of 11.68% in 1986, during a period of economic turmoil. Since then, the unemployment rate has steadily decreased, reaching 2.23% in 2025, ranking 21st globally. This trend is comparable to that of Kuwait, which had a similar unemployment rate of 2.18% in 2025. The Philippines' unemployment rate has decreased by nearly 9 percentage points since 1985, demonstrating a substantial reduction in joblessness. However, the country's population growth and labor market participation rates may continue to influence the unemployment rate, potentially leading to fluctuations in the coming years. A significant shift in the country's economic structure, such as a surge in investments in industries like technology and manufacturing, could potentially alter the trajectory of the unemployment rate and lead to further decreases.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 3.67% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 3.67% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 3.77% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 3.77% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 3.87% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 3.87% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.24% | −1.57pp | #21 |
| 2024 | 2.20% | −2.16pp | #21 |
| 2023 | 2.20% | −3.20pp | #21 |
| 2022 | 2.60% | −5.19pp | #25 |
| 2021 | 3.40% | −7.00pp | #33 |
| 2020 | 2.52% | −2.58pp | #17 |
| 2019 | 2.24% | −3.09pp | #23 |
| 2018 | 2.34% | −3.39pp | #25 |
| 2017 | 2.55% | −2.92pp | #25 |
| 2016 | 2.70% | −3.58pp | #27 |
| 2015 | 3.07% | −3.73pp | #32 |
| 2014 | 3.60% | −3.48pp | #46 |
| 2013 | 3.50% | −3.48pp | #41 |
| 2012 | 3.50% | −3.52pp | #40 |
| 2011 | 3.59% | −3.73pp | #44 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Philippines matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Philippines's unemployment rate was 2.24% in 2025. Ranked 21st globally. This represents a 41.3% decrease from the previous year.
Philippines's unemployment rate peaked at 11.68% in 1986.
The lowest unemployment rate in Philippines was 2.20% in 2023.
Philippines ranks 21st globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Philippines's unemployment rate is projected to reach 3.87% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Philippines in 2025 was 2.24%. This ranks 21st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_philippines_unemployment-rate,
title = {Philippines Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/philippines/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}