The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-La Union Provincial Statistical Office is currently undertaking the February 2025 Labor Force Survey (LFS) from 08 to 28 February 2025 in sample enumeration areas in La Union.

The LFS is an essential instrument in the formulation of policies and programs by lawmakers and other relevant agencies. The information gathered will serve as a foundation for initiatives focusing on the creation of gainful employment and livelihood opportunities, the reduction of unemployment and underemployment, and the enhancement of workers' welfare.

In preparation for the activity, PSA-La Union conducted a one-day briefing on 07 February 2025 to its two hired Statistical Researchers (SRs) to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their tasks effectively in conducting the interview following the standard procedures in collecting data.

The hired SRs will visit and interview a total of 98 households randomly selected in the sample enumeration areas in the province. Data items to be collected in this survey are information on the demographic and economic characteristics of all household members.

The success of the LFS highly depends on the quality of the data that will be collected. Hence, PSA-La Union encourages the sample households to participate in the survey by providing truthful and complete information. The PSA emphasizes its commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of all information provided by respondents. This assurance is in accordance with Section 26 of Republic Act (RA) 10625, also known as the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013, and Section 8 of RA 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. All data collected will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used exclusively for statistical purposes.

Meanwhile, the PSA released on 06 February 2025 the results of the LFS December 2024 round. Some of the highlights of the report in the country are as follows:

1. The country’s unemployment rate in December 2024 was recorded at 3.1 percent, the same rate recorded in December 2023. In November 2024, the unemployment rate was estimated at 3.2 percent.

In terms of magnitude, the number of unemployed individuals in December 2024 was recorded at 1.63 million. This was higher than the number of unemployed persons of 1.60 million in December 2023, but lower than the number of unemployed persons recorded in November 2024 at 1.66 million.

2. In December 2024, the employment rate was estimated at 96.9 percent, the same rate recorded in December 2023. The employment rate in November 2024 was estimated at 96.8 percent.

In terms of levels, the number of employed persons in December 2024 was recorded at 50.19 million. This was lower than the number of employed persons of 50.52 million in December 2023, but higher than the number of employed persons in November 2024 at 49.54 million.  

3. The labor force participation rate (LFPR) in December 2024 was estimated at 65.1 percent, lower than the LFPR in December 2023 of 66.6 percent. In November 2024, the LFPR was estimated at 64.6 percent.

The reported LFPR in December 2024 translates to a total of 51.81 million Filipinos aged 15 years old and over who were in the labor force, or those who were either employed or unemployed. The number of individuals aged 15 years old and over who were in the labor force was 52.13 million in December 2023 and 51.20 million in November 2024.  

4. On average, employed persons worked 40.9 hours per week in December 2024. This was higher than the average hours worked in a week in December 2023 of 40.6 hours, but lower than the 41.1 average hours worked per week in November 2024.

In terms of magnitude, 5.48 million of the 50.19 million employed individuals in December 2024 expressed the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work.  

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, PhD
Chief Statistical Specialist

/RBP

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