Monster Employment Index shows 3% decline in online hiring for April

1 min readUpdated Jun 4, 2025Jun 13, 20169:00 AM

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Online hiring in the Philippines fell 3% year-on-year in April according to the latest Monster Employment Index.

Despite the 3% year-on-year drop, online hiring improved over last month’s 24% decline.

“The Philippine economy had expanded faster than analysts’ predictions in Q1, largely driven by jobs across the services sectors. This expansion has given rise to employee demands for various related roles, with the retail sector taking lead in hiring activities,” Sanjay Modi, Monster.com managing director for India, Middle East, Southeast Asia and India, said.

The retail sector showed a 49% jump in online hiring activities, its first positive growth since March 2015. Among the occupations, showed a 33% year-on-year growth in April. Meanwhile, the hospitality and travel sector showed a 63% decline in online hiring year-on-year.

“The Philippines is also likely to continue to lure more businesses, thanks to its business-friendly environment, which will continue to drive the labor market. Demands for financial analysts, BPO and IT professionals, web-developers and healthcare workers will be on the rise in the months ahead,” Modi said.

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What this means

The Monster Employment Index reveals a mixed but generally improving online hiring landscape in the Philippines. The retail sector's 49% jump, its first positive growth in eight years, positions it as a key driver of economic recovery and job creation. This surge mirrors the regional expansion seen with Chagee Holdings targeting Southeast Asia and Tiffany & Co. Opening in Singapore, indicating confidence in consumer markets. However, the hospitality and travel sector's 63% decline signals sustained pressure, contrasting sharply with Panpuri's and Chipotle's strategic entries into Asian markets, which are more focused on new physical footprint and specific market opportunities rather than broad service sector hiring. The focus should now be on whether the retail sector's growth can offset other declines in the next quarterly report.

Minjun Park

Questions & Answers

What was the overall change in online hiring in the Philippines during April?

Online hiring in the Philippines experienced a 3% year-on-year decline in April. However, this represents an improvement compared to the 24% decline recorded in the previous month.

Which specific industry showed the strongest growth in online hiring during April?

The retail sector demonstrated the strongest growth, with a 49% jump in online hiring activities. This marked its first positive growth since March 2015, showing a significant turnaround.

Which sector experienced a significant decline in online hiring year-on-year?

The hospitality and travel sector saw a substantial 63% decline in online hiring year-on-year. This indicates a challenging period for online recruitment within that specific industry.

What occupations are predicted to see increased demand in the coming months?

Demands for financial analysts, BPO and IT professionals, web-developers, and healthcare workers are expected to increase in the months ahead. This is attributed to the country's business-friendly environment.

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