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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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May 2021

B.C. employment trends

Jobs (% change since last month) Jobs (change since last month)
Total employment Jobs (% change since last month) -0.1% Jobs (change since last month) -1,900
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) +1.0% Jobs (change since last month) +21,300
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -4.0% Jobs (change since last month) -23,200

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

May 2021 April 2021
Unemployment rate May 2021 7.0% April 2021 7.1%
Participation rate May 2021 64.9% April 2021 65.1%

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)+1.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,600
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)-7.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,800
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,200
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,100
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-900
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,100
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,800
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-400
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+3.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+3,700
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,700
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,100
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,700
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)+3.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+700
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-900

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 (%) May 2021 vs May 2020
Cariboo May 20216.5% vs May 202010.6%
Kootenay May 20216.5% vs May 202014.8%
Mainland / Southwest May 20217.3% vs May 202010.6%
Abbotsford May 2021 5.6% vs May 2020 7.5%
Mission May 2021 5.6% vs May 2020 7.5%
Vancouver May 2021 7.5% vs May 2020 10.7%
North Coast & Nechako May 20216.5% vs May 202012.1%
Northeast May 20214.5% vs May 202011.1%
Thompson-Okanagan May 20217.5% vs May 20209.5%
Kelowna May 2021 5.8% vs May 2020 9.6%
Vancouver Island / Coast May 20216.6% vs May 202011.0%
Victoria May 2021 6.3% vs May 2020 10.1%

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