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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 2019

B.C. employment trends

Jobs (% change since last month) Jobs (change since last month)
Total employment Jobs (% change since last month) -0.3% Jobs (change since last month) -7,700
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -0.1% Jobs (change since last month) -1,200
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -1.2% Jobs (change since last month) -6,500

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

December 2019 November 2019
Unemployment rate December 2019 4.8% November 2019 5.0%
Participation rate December 2019 64.6% November 2019 65.0%

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)+1.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,800
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)-4.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,200
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)+4.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+9,200
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,300
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)-4.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-6,800
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+5,200
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,900
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-300
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-600
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,300
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,600
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-400
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)0.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)0
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,400

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 2019 vs December 2018
Cariboo December 20196.8% vs December 20185.3%
Kootenay December 20194.2% vs December 20183.1%
Mainland / Southwest December 20194.5% vs December 20184.2%
Abbotsford December 2019 4.9% vs December 2018 4.5%
Mission December 2019 4.9% vs December 2018 4.5%
Vancouver December 2019 4.8% vs December 2018 4.4%
North Coast & Nechako December 20193.9% vs December 20183.8%
Northeast December 20195.1% vs December 20184.7%
Thompson-Okanagan December 20195.0% vs December 20184.7%
Kelowna December 2019 4.1% vs December 2018 3.3%
Vancouver Island / Coast December 20194.6% vs December 20183.6%
Victoria December 2019 3.4% vs December 2018 3.6%

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