Employment Rate in SOCCSKSARGEN Region hits 95.
9 percent in
October 2019
Date of Release: 04 May 2020
Reference No. R12-SR2020-031
Labor Force Participation Rate slightly improved to 62.7%
In October 2019, the total population 15 years old and over in SOCCSKSARGEN Region
reached 3.24 million, up by 1.9 percent in October 2019. This number was about 4.4%
of the national figures.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, October 2018 and October 2019 Labor Force Survey
Of the total population 15 years old and over in the region, more than half (62.7%) were
in the labor force. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) or the proportion of
employed and unemployed persons to the population 15 years old and over in the region
was slightly higher by 0.47 percentage points compared to the same period the
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previous year. The region’s LFPR was higher by 1.28 percentage points compared to the
national estimates of 61.5%. Nine (9) regions had LFPR higher than the national average
(see Figure 1).
SOCCSKSARGEN Region was ranked 6th among the 17 regions in the country with the
highest LFPR. Northern Mindanao posted the highest at 66.8%. The top 2 lowest
participation rates were observed in Zamboanga Peninsula (57.5%) and BARMM
(53.4%).
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, October 2018 and October 2019 Labor Force Survey
Employment Rate went down to 95.9%
About 95.9% of the working-age population who were in the labor force in
SOCCSKSARGEN Region were employed in October 2019. This was 0.54 percentage
point lower compared to the 96.4% posted in same period the previous year. The region’s
employment rate was 0.4 percentage point higher compared to the national average of
95.5%. SOCCSKSARGEN Region was ranked 7th in terms of employment rate. Ten
(10) regions had employment rates better than the national figures (see Figure 2).
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Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, October 2018 and October 2019 Labor Force Survey
Unemployment Rate dropped to 4.1%
At 4.1% in October 2019, unemployment rate (UR) in the region increased by 0.54
percentage points from 3.6% in October 2018. SOCCSKSARGEN Region’s
unemployment rate was lower by 0.39 percentage point compared to the national
estimates of 4.5% in October 2019. BARMM was highest with 6.6%. Nine (9) regions,
including SOCCSKSARGEN, had unemployment rates lower than the national figure of
4.5% (see Figure 3).
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Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, October 2018 and October 2019 Labor Force Survey
Underemployment rate rose to 19.3%
Underemployed persons in the region rose to 19.3% in October 2019. About 3.8
percentage points higher compared to 15.5% the previous year. SOCCSKSARGEN
region’s underemployment rate was 6.3 percentage points higher compared to the 13.0%
national average. The top 5 highest underemployed rates were recorded in Bicol Region
(26.1%), Northern Mindanao (21.8%), Zamboanga Peninsula (19.3), SOCCSKSARGEN
(19.3%) and Ilocos Region (17.0%). In October 2019, twelve (12) regions had double-
digit underemployment rates. The lowest was noted in NCR at 3.6% (see Figure 4).
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Table 1 Total Population 15 Years Old and Over and Rates of Labor Force Participation,
Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment, by Region: October 2018 and 2019
Total Population 15
Labor Force
Region Years Old and Over Employment Rate Unemployment Rate Underemployment Rate
Participation Rate
(in '000)
2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Philippines 73,528 71,885 61.5 60.6 95.5 94.9 4.5 5.1 13.0 13.3
NCR 9,422 9,244 60.6 60.6 95.4 94.0 4.6 6.0 3.6 4.8
CAR 1,312 1,283 62.4 62.2 97.2 95.5 2.8 4.5 8.3 13.9
Region I 3,607 3,518 63.4 61.3 94.8 93.3 5.2 6.7 17.0 22.4
Region II 2,473 2,412 64.1 63.2 96.5 97.2 3.5 2.8 12.8 16.5
Region III 8,177 7,990 60.0 58.0 95.3 94.0 4.7 6.0 8.3 8.3
Region IV-A 10,345 10,195 64.1 63.3 94.2 93.4 5.8 6.6 11.4 13.2
MIMAROPA Region 2,168 2,103 58.6 59.4 96.3 95.6 3.7 4.4 16.1 14.5
Region V 4,247 4,145 61.6 61.3 95.2 95.6 4.8 4.4 26.1 22.2
Region VI 5,582 5,483 60.4 60.3 95.8 94.7 4.2 5.3 10.6 12.7
Region VII 5,476 5,330 63.2 60.7 95.7 95.2 4.3 4.8 16.6 16.0
Region VIII 3,258 3,174 58.3 58.4 95.7 96.1 4.3 3.9 16.3 14.9
Region IX 2,716 2,629 57.5 56.9 98.1 96.1 1.9 3.9 19.3 18.8
Region X 3,417 3,329 66.8 65.2 96.5 96.9 3.5 3.1 21.8 18.1
Region XI 3,617 3,535 61.6 60.4 95.9 96.2 4.1 3.8 9.5 8.0
Region XII 3,243 3,183 62.7 62.3 95.9 96.4 4.1 3.6 19.3 15.5
Region XIII 1,945 1,897 61.4 62.0 95.4 96.0 4.6 4.0 17.0 21.4
BARMM 2,522 2,435 53.4 49.5 93.4 96.2 6.6 3.8 8.7 5.7
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, October 2019 Labor Force Survey
Notes: Estimates for October 2019 are preliminary and may change. Details may not add up to totals due to rounding.
Coverage of BARMM are still the areas belonging to the ARMM Region.
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Definition of Terms:
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) - Percentage of the total number of persons in
the labor force to the total population 15 years old and over.
Employment Rate – percentage of the total number of employed persons to the total
number of persons in the labor force.
Unemployment Rate- Percentage of the total number of unemployed persons to the total
number of persons in the labor force.
Underemployment Rate - Percentage of the total number of underemployed persons to
the total number of employed persons.
Employed Persons – Persons in the labor force who were reported either as at work
(according to the definition of work), or with a job or business although not at work.
Persons at work are those who did some work, even for an hour, during the reference
period.
Persons are also considered employed if they are with a job/business even though
not at work during the reference period because of reasons such as temporary
illness/injury, vacation or other leave of absence, bad weather, or strike/labor dispute.
Underemployed Persons – employed persons who expressed the desire to have
additional hours of work in their present job or in an additional job, or to have a new job
with longer working hours.
Approved for Release:
ENGR. BELINDA R. PENUELA
OIC Regional Director
PSA RSSO XII
For inquiries, please contact:
MA. EILEEN A. BERDEPRADO/FATIMA H.S. MOHAMMADSHA
Statistical Operations and Coordination Division, PSA-RSSO XII
Telephone Number (064) 557-2416
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