The number of unemployed Filipinos fell to 1.96 million in September 2025, down from 2.03 million in August, according to the latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) released Thursday by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PSA chief and national statistician Claire Dennis Mapa noted, however, that the latest figure was slightly higher than the 1.89-million jobless individuals registered in the same month last year.

“The number of unemployed persons this September was 1.96 million,” Mapa said in a press briefing.

“This was higher than the 1.89 million recorded in September 2024, but lower compared to the 2.03 million in August 2025,” he added.

According to the PSA, the month-on-month improvement suggests a modest rebound in employment opportunities, particularly in sectors such as services, construction, and manufacturing, which have been driving the post-pandemic labor recovery.

Still, Mapa emphasized that challenges remain, including underemployment and jobs quality, as some workers continue to seek additional hours or better paying jobs.

Economists say the latest data shows the country is still navigating economic headwinds, including rising commodity prices and global market uncertainty, but government infrastructure and investment programs are expected to bolster jobs creation in the coming months.

A more detailed breakdown of the LFS — including labor force participation, underemployment rate, and sectoral data — will be released by the PSA to provide a clearer picture of the employment situation in the country.