SWS survey: Number of unemployed Filipinos hits 10M

Applicants look at the list of jobs at a job fair. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

The number of unemployed Filipinos swelled to more than 10 million or over 20 percent, according to the third quarter survey of the Social Weather Station (SWS) released on Monday.

The survey, conducted among 1,200 respondents on September 2 to 5, found that 23.7 percent or over 10 million adult Filipinos were jobless in September 2015.

Data from the SWS showed that unemployment continued to rise since the first quarter of 2015.

In March, unemployment was at 19.1 percent then rose to 23.2 percent in June.

SWS said unemployment has always been above 20 percent since November 2010 except in March 2015 where 19.1 percentage was recorded.

Since 2010, the joblessness in the Philippines has reached to as high as 34.4 percent in March 2012.

The SWS definition of joblessness covers respondents age 18 and over who are “without a job at present and looking for a job.” This excludes those not looking for work like housewives, students, and retired or disabled persons. JE