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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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March 2021

B.C. employment trends

Jobs (% change since last month) Jobs (change since last month)
Total employment Jobs (% change since last month) +1.3% Jobs (change since last month) +35,000
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -0.3% Jobs (change since last month) -6,700
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) +7.3% Jobs (change since last month) +41,800

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

March 2021 February 2021
Unemployment rate March 2021 6.9% February 2021 6.9%
Participation rate March 2021 66.1% February 2021 65.3%

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)+1.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+3,200
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-500
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+6,000
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)+2.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+3,200
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)+3.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+11,000
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)+3.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+6,600
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)+5.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,900
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-3.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,300
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,400
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)-5.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-7,100
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,300
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)-3.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-600
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+4,300

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 (%) March 2021 vs March 2020
Cariboo March 20216.8% vs March 20208.7%
Kootenay March 20216.7% vs March 20206.2%
Mainland / Southwest March 20218.0% vs March 20205.4%
Abbotsford March 2021 7.1% vs March 2020 4.6%
Mission March 2021 7.1% vs March 2020 4.6%
Vancouver March 2021 8.1% vs March 2020 5.3%
North Coast & Nechako March 20218.5% vs March 20206.2%
Northeast March 20214.1% vs March 20204.2%
Thompson-Okanagan March 20217.3% vs March 20207.2%
Kelowna March 2021 5.5% vs March 2020 5.9%
Vancouver Island / Coast March 20217.4% vs March 20206.3%
Victoria March 2021 5.9% vs March 2020 4.6%

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