The Philippine unemployment rate climbed to 4.8% in May, according to the latest data released by the national statistics agency.
Job losses in the agricultural sector drove the increase, as adverse weather conditions disrupted planting and harvesting cycles across key regions.
Although employment expanded in services and several manufacturing subsectors, the growth was not enough to offset the agricultural decline.
Economists note that the rise signals heightened vulnerability for rural workers and may prompt the government to accelerate weather‑resilient farming initiatives.
Analysts expect the labor market to stabilize later in the year if climate impacts subside and the services sector continues its recovery trajectory.
