The industry and service sectors, particularly trade and manufacturing subsectors dominate the region s economy, not agriculture. It is estimated that Cebu accounts 80 percent of the region s economic output while the remaining 20 percent for by the rest of the provinces. As of 1997, the region s average employment rate is 91.3 percent while its unemployment rate reached 8.7 percent. However, the number of those who were working less than forty hours a week is increasing as underemployment rate in the region is increasing over the years. Income Distribution .
Human deprivation continues to persist in the region.
Economic progress failed to benefit around 32 percent of the total families that were below poverty threshold in 1994. This means that around 346,751 families were unable to meet their minimum basic needs. Poverty was higher in the rural areas than in the urban areas. The income levels are still inadequate for the majority of the population and income distribution remains highly inequitable. Official statistics show that the gap between the rich and the poor has widened.