The Performance of the Aquino Administration (2010-2016) Table III.4. Shares of Unemployment and Vulnerable Employment in Selected ASEAN Member States, 2013
As cited in ILO (2015) Figure III.19. Vulnerable Employment Rate in percent, by Region, 2013
As cited in ILO (2015) Focus on the Youth: Unemployment and Vulnerable Employment ILO in its 2015 report has argued that the unemployment challenge is primarily a youth phenomenon, as 1.4 million young people account for almost one-half of the total unemployed. This is a nuance on what has been reported in the PNoy SONA that four million individuals were employed from 2010 to 2013. These young are almost three times more likely than their adult counterparts to be unemployed, says the ILO Report. If we are to progress as a nation and carry on the legacy of whatever ideals and values we hold as a nation, and sustain progress made in pursuing such values as working in a collective or bayanihan, damayan or having a regard for the other, fortitude, etc., we need to provide more opportunities for the youth. Having a productive youth sector will also be a source of capital for maintaining a healthy tax base to support our elderly. Thus, despite the seemingly glowing employment growth trends reported earlier in the self-assessment reports by the PNoy administration, a high number of jobseekers, particularly young people, are reportedly unable to secure employment. In 2013, unemployment stood at 7.1%, with the rate exceeding 9% in the NCR and CALABARZON according to ILO. Unemployment for men (7.3%) exceeded that for women (6.8%). Although the figures are high, we have yet to obtain the most recent data for youth unemployment to examine whether the situation had improved by the end of the PNoy term. A somewhat worrisome situation is expected because as can be viewed below, another distinctive feature of the youth labor market is the high incidence of unemployment among those with higher educational attainment. For example, we would note that most of the unemployed (39.3%) have reached college or a post-secondary degree level (see Figure III.20 below), while almost half (49.3%) of the youth who have completed high school are unemployed. 49
