KALIBO, Aklan – The employment rate of Aklan rose to 93.1 percent in 2022 from 89.3 percent a year ago, based on the latest employment data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This translates to about 242,648 employed persons, higher by 5,046 compared to 2021 data of 237,602.
The province posted the highest increment in employment rate in Western Visayas with 3.9 percent, followed by Antique with 2.5 percent, and Iloilo (except Iloilo City) with 1.7 percent.
The labor force participation rate among persons 15 years old and over in 2022 was estimated at 60.7%, which is equivalent to 260, 513 individuals, lower compared to 2021’s 62.7 percent or 266, 191 persons.
On the other hand, unemployment rate in the province in 2022 contracted to 6.9 percent from 10.7 percent in 2021.
This is equal to about 17, 865 unemployed persons from 28, 589 jobless individuals in 2021.
Meanwhile, the province’ underemployment clocked in at 14.0 percent, declined by 9.3 percent compared to 23.3 percent in 2021.
This is equivalent to about 33, 993 persons from 55, 423 in 2021, or a decrease of 21, 430 persons.
Underemployment refers to employed persons who 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 working hours during the reference week.
Unemployment, on the contrary, refers to all persons 15 years and over without work, looking for work, or currently available for work but not looking for it due to reasons such as tired, believed no work available, awaiting results of previous job application, temporary illness/disability, bad weather, waiting for rehire/job recall, and community quarantine.
These employment data were derived from the results of the Labor Force Survey conducted monthly by PSA.
The LFS gathers data such a demographic and socio-economic characteristic of the population which serves as the quantitative framework for the preparation of plans and formulations of policies affecting the labor market.
“It is important to determine and understand the size, distribution and other characteristics of our labor force to improve their welfare and make them more productive, which is crucial in the development of our economy,” said Engr. Antonet Catubuan, PSA-Aklan head.
PSA urged households selected as samples for this survey to give truthful and accurate answers so that quality data can be generated that would reflect the real labor market condition of the province.