The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has raised alarm over a “troubling increase” in unemployment among Filipino college graduates, with the June 2025 Labor Force Survey showing a 2.6-point rise from December 2024’s 35.6 percent.
CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis warned that the issue stems from a persistent skills mismatch, as many graduates end up in low-skilled jobs despite available vacancies.
She cited DOLE job fairs in January where only 3,364 of 25,876 applicants were hired, most in roles not requiring a degree.
While the Philippines posted a low overall unemployment rate of 3.7 percent in June 2025, Agrupis stressed that averages mask deep structural issues and regional competitiveness gaps compared to ASEAN neighbors.
CHED is now pushing reforms to align higher education with labor market demands, aiming to make degrees a guarantee of meaningful, sustainable work.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 15, 2025
