The Philippines' national unemployment rate in November registered at 4.4%, easing from the 5.0% rate logged in October, but still up from the 3.2% rate of a year earlier, reported the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Wednesday.

In November, the services sector accounted for 62.1% of the employed persons, followed by agriculture with 20% and then industry at 17.9%, added the PSA.

Industries with growing employment in November from October included

wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, education, construction, accommodation, and food service activities, according to officials.

Shrinking employment in November was logged in the agriculture and forestry sector, along with payroll declines in public administration and defense, compulsory social security, fishing and aquaculture, financial and insurance activities, and manufacturing.

The Philippines' labor force participation rate in November was 64.0%, up from 63.6% in October. The LFP captures the percentage of residents aged 15 or over who are either employed or seeking work.

Philippine employment prospects may improve in 2026 if recent economic growth projections by the nation's top central banker are on target.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona on Tuesday said the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2025 is projected to finish up 4.5% on year, but should rise to a 5.4% on-year gain in 2026, reported the Philippine News Agency.