Determinants of Labour Force Participation in the Philippines

Abstract

This empirical study identifies the main determinants of labour force participation in the Philippines. The results demonstrate that the decision to participate in the labour force is influenced by location, sex, age, marital status and educational level. The rural man, single individual, who is older and possesses a higher educational level is more likely to participate in the labour force. Furthermore, difference in labour force participation rates between the rural and urban areas is due primarily to differences in behavioural responses to variables explaining participation (the coefficient effect) and not so much to differences in sub-population characteristics.