NCR Unemployment Rises: 345,000 Jobless in 2025

Unemployment in the National Capital Region (NCR) saw a slight increase in 2025, with the number of jobless individuals rising to 345,000. This figure represents a 5.2% unemployment rate, which is higher than the national average of 4.2% and places NCR among regions with significant joblessness. Factors contributing to this rise include job seekers awaiting employer callbacks and weather-related disruptions from frequent typhoons in 2025.

Despite the uptick in unemployment, employment in NCR saw a marginal increase to 6.33 million. However, the employment rate dipped slightly to 94.8%. The labor force participation rate also saw a minor decrease. Encouragingly, underemployment experienced a significant decline, dropping to 384,000 in 2025 from 441,000 in 2024, indicating improved job quality or reduced working hours for underemployed individuals.

Data revealed disparities by sex, with men experiencing higher unemployment and underemployment rates compared to women. Youth unemployment also showed a decrease, as did the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Within NCR cities, Parañaque City recorded the highest labor force participation, while San Juan City had the highest unemployment rate.