RP unemployment drops to 11.2%

RP unemployment drops to 11.2%

MANILA: Unemployment in the Philippines fell to 11.2 percent in July from 13.9 percent in April because of an increase in jobs in the services sector, according to data issued by the statistics office Monday.

The quarterly data said services sector jobs increased to 14.3 million in July, from 13.5 million in April.

Wholesale and retail trade, and repair of automobiles and personal and household goods accounted for the largest share of the sector's employment.

The agricultural sector also increased employment in July to 11.16 million, from 11 million in April. Its share in the total of employed people increased to 37 percent from 36.5 percent.

The industry sector, however, experienced a decline in the employment level to 4.69 million employed in July from 4.82 million in April. The sector's share in total employment fell to 15.6 percent from 16 percent for the same period.

In the year leading up to July, the labor office said the total labor force rose 33.92 million, up 4.1 percent to 33.92 million and the total employed rose 2.8 percent to 30.1 million. -- AP