Philippines: jobs and pay

What is the minimum wage in the Philippines?

The daily minimum wage for private-sector workers in Metro Manila (NCR) is ₱718 to ₱755 under Wage Order No. NCR-28, effective 26 September 2026, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

There is no single national rate: each region has its own regional wage board, and rates vary within a region by sector and size of business. The NWPC lists the current rates for every region on its homepage. It also shows Wage Order NCR-27, which would raise NCR rates to ₱743 to ₱780 from 20 January 2027, as awaiting final decisions from two regional trial courts. The full text of Wage Order NCR-28 is on the NWPC site.

Official sources: NWPC: daily minimum wage rates · NWPC: Wage Order No. NCR-28 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in the Philippines?

The minimum wage for domestic workers (kasambahay) in Metro Manila is ₱7,800 a month under Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06, effective 7 February 2026, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

Domestic workers have a monthly rather than a daily minimum, set separately by each regional wage board. Rates in other regions are lower than in NCR and are listed region by region on the NWPC website. The NWPC homepage lists the current domestic worker rate for each region alongside its wage order.

Official sources: NWPC: daily minimum wage rates

What is the unemployment rate in the Philippines?

The ILO modelled estimate puts unemployment in the Philippines at 2.2% of the labour force in 2025, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. Youth unemployment, ages 15 to 24, was 7.0%, according to the World Bank.

The official monthly rate comes from the Philippine Statistics Authority's Labor Force Survey, which also reports underemployment, the share of workers who want more hours or work. The PSA website blocked automated access on 15 October 2026, so its latest figure could not be confirmed here. The ILO estimate uses a common international method and can differ from the PSA figure.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Philippines · World Bank: youth unemployment, Philippines · Philippine Statistics Authority

How much does the Philippine government spend on salaries?

The national government spent ₱1.629 trillion on personnel services in 2025, up ₱100.5 billion or 6.6% from 2024, according to the Department of Budget and Management Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget. The DBM links the rise partly to pay adjustments for civilian government staff and to new posts being created and filled.

For 2027 the government plans ₱1.941 trillion for personnel services on a disbursement basis. Personnel services cover salaries, allowances and benefits of national government employees, including teachers, police and the military.

Official sources: DBM: Technical Notes on the 2027 Proposed National Budget (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in the Philippines?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in the Philippines was 8,302 PHP a month (about $145) in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in the Philippines?

In 2024, average monthly earnings of employees in the Philippines was $323 a month, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. East Asia & Pacific median: $468 a month; the Philippines is 5th highest of 5. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 61st highest.

How high is unemployment in the Philippines?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in the Philippines was 2.2% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.2% (2023) to 4.1% (2006). It is 17th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.9%. World rank, highest first: 154th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in the Philippines?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in the Philippines was 7.0% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6.6% (2018) to 10.1% (2009). East Asia & Pacific median: 7.5%; the Philippines is 13th highest of 24. Worldwide: 131st of 174.

What share of people in the Philippines are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in the Philippines was 61.4% in 2025. The peak was 62.2% in 2011 and the low 54.7% in 2020. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 65.3%, and the Philippines placed 17th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 93rd highest.

What share of women in the Philippines are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in the Philippines was 50.5% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2024, at 50.5%; its low point was 2020, at 42.7%. East Asia & Pacific median: 56.3%; the Philippines is 20th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 110th highest.

What share of adults in the Philippines have a job?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in the Philippines at 60.0% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 53.4% (2020) to 60.1% (2023). East Asia & Pacific median: 63.1%; the Philippines is 17th highest of 24. Worldwide: 72nd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in the Philippines?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in the Philippines was 33.6%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 42.2%; its low point was 2018, at 32.0%. East Asia & Pacific median: 40.0%; the Philippines is 15th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 79th of 174.

What share of jobs in the Philippines are salaried?

63.9%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in the Philippines for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 64.5% in 2019 and the low 52.6% in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 56.8%, and the Philippines placed 9th highest of 24. Worldwide: 91st of 174.