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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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April 2020

B.C. employment trends

Jobs (% change since last month) Jobs (change since last month)
Total employment Jobs (% change since last month) -11.0% Jobs (change since last month) -264,100
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -10.1% Jobs (change since last month) -194,900
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -14.8% Jobs (change since last month) -69,200

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

April 2020 March 2020
Unemployment rate April 2020 11.5% March 2020 7.2%
Participation rate April 2020 58.5% March 2020 62.4%

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)-47.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-75,700
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)-19.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-6,100
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)-14.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-34,100
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-5.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-8,600
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,800
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)-6.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-20,400
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)-5.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-8,900
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-200
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-25.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-29,100
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,900
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)-6.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+6,900
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)-6.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-8,200
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)+15.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,400
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)-9.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-35,500

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 (%) April 2020 vs April 2019
Cariboo April 20209.7% vs April 2019N/A
Kootenay April 202011.4% vs April 2019N/A
Mainland / Southwest April 20207.5% vs April 2019N/A
Abbotsford April 2020 5.9% vs April 2019 N/A
Mission April 2020 5.9% vs April 2019 N/A
Vancouver April 2020 7.5% vs April 2019 N/A
North Coast & Nechako April 20208.9% vs April 2019N/A
Northeast April 20207.4% vs April 2019N/A
Thompson-Okanagan April 20209.0% vs April 2019N/A
Kelowna April 2020 8.1% vs April 2019 N/A
Vancouver Island / Coast April 20208.4% vs April 2019N/A
Victoria April 2020 7.2% vs April 2019 N/A

N/A - Data not available

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