MORE than one-fifth of those who are willing and able to work in the Philippines were unemployed in 2016, the latest survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) said on Friday. That represented a significant improvement from 2015, when the unemployment rate was 6.3 percent. Every time the SWS unemployment data is released, it fits a consistent pattern: unemployment by the SWS methodology is always three to four times greater than what is considered the official data released by the government. Statistics, particularly when they are applied to a sample population that is constantly in flux is an unavoidably imprecise business. That is the way the public considers the matter, after all, which is why, despite having its credibility constantly called into question, the SWS survey makes an impression on people.

Source: Manila Times February 25, 2017 16:25 UTC