(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila— Filipino employers hired fewer workers in June, with authorities placing at 2.33 million the number of Filipinos without work.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed Wednesday that the figure was higher than the 2.17 million estimated a month prior.

This translates to a national unemployment rate of 4.5%.

The number of the unemployed saw an increase despite improvements in the country’s labor force participation, which reached 51.17 million, up from May’s 50.43 million.

Meanwhile, the number of employed persons for the month was also higher at 48.84 million against 48.26 million in May.

Uderemployed persons or those wanting to work for longer hours or have an additional job, stood at 5.87 million.