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Labour market snapshots

The monthly Labour Market Snapshot offers a quick overview of B.C.'s labour market. You'll find industry and regional highlights, as well as information on provincial employment, unemployment and participation rates.

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December 2020

B.C. employment trends

Jobs (% change since last month) Jobs (change since last month)
Total employment Jobs (% change since last month) +0.2% Jobs (change since last month) +3,800
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) +1.2% Jobs (change since last month) +24,000
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -3.6% Jobs (change since last month) -20,300

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

December 2020 November 2020
Unemployment rate December 2020 7.2% November 2020 7.1%
Participation rate December 2020 64.3% November 2020 64.2%

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Industry highlights

Jobs (% change
since last month)		 Jobs (change
since last month)
Accommodation and Food Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-3.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-7,400
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-500
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)+3.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+6,600
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+800
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)-3.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-5,700
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,400
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+3,300
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-900
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,800
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,600
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+900
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-500
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+600

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Regional highlights

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Unemployment rate (%) December 2020 vs December 2019
Cariboo December 20209.3% vs December 20196.8%
Kootenay December 20206.6% vs December 20194.2%
Mainland / Southwest December 20207.1% vs December 20194.5%
Abbotsford December 2020 8.4% vs December 2019 4.9%
Mission December 2020 8.4% vs December 2019 4.9%
Vancouver December 2020 7.4% vs December 2019 4.8%
North Coast & Nechako December 20205.6% vs December 20193.9%
Northeast December 20204.3% vs December 20195.1%
Thompson-Okanagan December 20207.7% vs December 20195.0%
Kelowna December 2020 4.5% vs December 2019 4.1%
Vancouver Island / Coast December 20207.3% vs December 20194.6%
Victoria December 2020 5.8% vs December 2019 3.4%

Source: Monthly Labour Force Survey, 3-month moving average, seasonally unadjusted

Related Topics
Explore career profiles Discover B.C. and Regional profiles Find industry information Read the B.C. Labour Market Outlook