2.78 million males and 1.70 million females. More male labor force ranging from 1.15 million to 2.04 million were reported in Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, Western and Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and SOCCSKSARGEN. Higher numbers of female labor force were also observed in Western Visayas and Central Visayas at 1.33 million and 1.47 million, respectively. Majority of the regions reported less than 1.0 million females in the labor force. Meanwhile, CAR posted the least male and female labor force population at 472,000 and 324,000, respectively (Tables 2.1a and 2.1b). The 2015 regional LFPR topped in Cagayan Valley for the males at 81.4 percent and Central Visayas for the females at 57.2 percent. Male LFPRs from 78.0 percent to 79.8 percent were registered in MIMAROPA, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga. Higher female LFPRs were, likewise, estimated in Central Visayas at 57.2 percent and CAR at 56.0 percent. In contrast, LFPRs were lowest in NCR at 74.3 percent for the males and in ARMM at 31.6 percent for the females (Tables 2.2a and 2.2b). Employment Sex-disaggregated data on employment indicates the rate of absorption of available males and females in the production of goods and services. It is also a measure of gender equality in the labor market. Nationwide, employed persons comprised of 23.41 million males and 15.34 million females in 2015. These corresponded to employment rates (ERs) of 93.4 percent and 94.2 percent. At the regional level, majority of male and female employment were located in CALABARZON, recording 2.91 million males and 2.18 million females in 2015. NCR came next with employment at 2.65 million males and 2.10 million females. This was followed by Central Luzon where employed persons numbered 2.55 million males and 1.57 million females. Male employment in Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, Western and Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and SOCCSKSARGEN ranged from 1.11 million to 1.93 million. On the other hand, female employment was also higher in Western and Central Visayas at 1.27 million and 1.40 million, respectively. The lowest employment levels for both sexes 2

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