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.

The number of persons in the labor force, or those who are either employed or unemployed, was estimated at 38.5 million out of the estimated 60.6 million population 15 years old and over in April 2010. These numbers translate into a labor force participation rate (LFPR) of 63.6 percent compared to last year's figure of 64.0 percent. The LFPR was highest in Northern Mindanao at 71.1 percent, and lowest in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) at 56.9 percent.