Labor Force Participation Rate

The total population of 15 years old and over in the Ilocos Region was estimated at 3.6 million. Out of this population, 2.5 million were in the labor force.

The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of the region was estimated at 68.5 percent in April 2022. This means that seven in every ten of the population aged 15 years and over were either employed
or unemployed.

The Ilocos Region ranked second (2^nd) among the regions in terms of LFPR which is higher than the national LFPR of 63.4 percent.

The employment rate of the region improved to 94.1 percent

The employment rate in the Ilocos Region improved by 1.6 percentage points from 92.5 percent in April 2021 to 94.1 percent in April 2022. This rate was also higher than the employment rate of 92.8 percent in January 2022.

In terms of numbers, about 2.3 million individuals aged 15 years old and over were employed out of the 2.5 million individuals who were in the labor force in April 2022.

The unemployment rate declined to 5.9 percent

Unemployed person includes those who were 15 years old and over without work, currently available for work, and seeking for work. The unemployment rate of the region in April 2022 was estimated at 5.9 percent equivalent to 147 thousand unemployed persons.

This was lower by 1.6 percentage points from the 7.5 percent unemployment rate in January 2022 or equivalent of 163 thousand unemployed persons in Ilocos Region.

Underemployment rate is estimated at 16.0 percent

Underemployed or employed persons in Ilocos Region who expressed the desire to have an additional working hours in their present job, to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours were estimated at 373 thousand (16.0 percent) in April 2022. This was higher than the 14.7 percent underemployment rate reported in January 2022 but lower than the 17.7 percent in April 2021.