Jobless rate climbs to 5.8% in January

Highest since hitting 6% in June 2022

- By LOUELLA DESIDERIO

The country's unemployment rate in January rose to its highest level in over three years amid the seasonal decline in labor demand following the holiday season.

In a press conference yesterday, Deputy National Statistician Divina Gracia del Prado said the jobless rate stood at 5.8 percent in January, up from 4.4 percent in December 2025 and 4.3 percent in January last year.

In terms of magnitude, the number of jobless Filipinos increased to 2.96 million in January from 2.26 million in December 2025 and 2.17 million in January last year.

She also said the January unemployment rate is the highest since June 2022, when it reached six percent.