Labor Force Participation Rate was estimated at 64.4 percent

Based on the April 2021 Labor Force Survey (LFS), the total population  of 15 years old and over in the Ilocos Region was estimated at 3.5 million individuals. Out of this population, 2.3 million persons are in the labor force. This translates to a 64.4 percent Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) higher by 1.2 percentage points from the average national LFPR of 63.2 percent. 

Across regions, Northern Mindanao (71.4 percent) has the highest LFPR followed by CARAGA (69.1 percent) and MIMAROPA (69.1 percent).  The Ilocos Region ranked ninth among the regions in terms of LFPR (Figure 1). 

About 92.5 percent in the labor force were employed in April 2021

The employment rate in the Philippines was estimated at 91.3 percent, the same with January 2021 and higher than the employment rate in April 2020 (82.4 percent). Similarly, the employment rate in the Ilocos Region increased to 92.5 percent in April 2021 from 77.7 percent in April 2020 and January 2021 (90.7 percent).

In terms of numbers, about 2.1 million persons aged 15 years old and over were employed in April 2021, out of the 2.3 million persons  who were in the labor force. 

Underemployment rate was estimated at 17.7 percent

Underemployed or employed persons who expressed the desire  to have additional hours of work in their present job  or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work  was recorded at 17.7 percent in April 2021. This was lower  than the 20.7 percent reported in April 2020 but higher  than the 16.9 percent underemployment rate in January 2021.

In terms of magnitude, 374 thousand persons were underemployed in April 2021 or about one in ten employed individuals  in the labor force were underemployed. In April 2020,  there were 347 thousand underemployed persons and 337 thousand  in October 2020.

Among the regions, Ilocos Region ranked the eighth-lowest underemployment. The rank of the region remained the same compared to the January 2021 ranking but lower than the rank in April 2020  (third highest underemployment rate).

Unemployed person was recorded at 7.5 percent

Unemployed person includes those who were 15 years old and over without work, currently available for work, and seeking work.  The unemployment rate of the region was estimated at 7.5 percent  or 172 thousand unemployed persons. This was lower than the national unemployment rate (8.7 percent).

The unemployment rate in the region declined by 14.8 percentage points from the 22.3 percent unemployment rate in April 2020.  Similarly, it declined by 1.8 percentage points from the 9.3 percent rate  in January 2021.