Press Release on the 2004 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF)

The number of Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad during the period April to September 2004 reached 1.06 million, up by 8.2 percent from 982 thousand a year ago. Of this total, 92.9 percent (988 thousand) were overseas contract workers (OCWs) or those with existing work-contract abroad. Their number also went up by 5.9 percent from 933 thousand in 2003.

Employment Rate Estimated at 92.6 Percent in January 2008 Results from the January 2008 Labor Force Survey (LFS)

The unemployment rate in January 2008 was estimated at 7.4 percent. Among the regions, the NCR had the highest unemployment rate. It registered a 2-digit unemployment rate of 12.5 percent. Males had higher unemployment rate of 7.8 percent compared to females at 6.7 percent. For every ten unemployed, five (49.6%) were in the age group 15-24 years, while three were in the age group 25-34. Around 39.0 percent of the unemployed had attained college level and 33.5 percent were high school graduates.

Employment Rate Recorded at 92.0 Percent in April 2008 Results from the April 2008 Labor Force Survey (LFS)

The employment rate in April 2008, or the proportion of employed persons to total labor force was estimated at 92.0 percent, almost the same as the percentage recorded in April 2007 at 92.6 percent

Employment Rate Reported at 92.6 Percent in July 2008 Results from the July 2008 Labor Force Survey (LFS)

Employment rate in the National Capital Region (87.2%), Central Luzon (90.6%) and CALABARZON (89.6%) was lower than in all other regions. As in previous LFS, the National Capital Region recorded the lowest employment rate. In terms of the labor force participation rate, the NCR (61.7%), Ilocos Region (62.3%), Central Luzon (61.8%), CALABARZON (62.9%) and ARMM (57.4%) posted lower rates compared to the rest of the regions.

Unemployment Rate Estimated at 6.8 Percent in October 2008 Results from the October 2008 Labor Force Survey (LFS)

Out of the estimated 58.2 million population 15 years old and over in October 2008, 37.1 million persons were in the labor force. This placed the labor force participation rate at 63.7 percent. Last year's labor force participation rate was 63.2 percent. Among the regions, Northern Mindanao posted the highest labor force participation rate at 71.6 percent.

National Statistics Office

Labor Force