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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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February 2020

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) -6,500
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) +0.2% Jobs (change since last month) +3,400
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -1.8% Jobs (change since last month) -9,900

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

February 2020 January 2020
Unemployment rate February 2020 5.0% January 2020 4.5%
Participation rate February 2020 64.5% January 2020 64.4%

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)-0.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-200
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+100
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,200
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,500
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,000
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,000
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,300
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)-4.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,900
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,200
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,000
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,500
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,600
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)+21.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,600
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+8,400

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 (%) February 2020 vs February 2019
Cariboo February 20207.8% vs February 2019N/A
Kootenay February 20204.0% vs February 2019N/A
Mainland / Southwest February 20204.3% vs February 2019N/A
Abbotsford February 2020 4.7% vs February 2019 N/A
Mission February 2020 4.7% vs February 2019 N/A
Vancouver February 2020 4.4% vs February 2019 N/A
North Coast & Nechako February 20204.5% vs February 2019N/A
Northeast February 20200.0% vs February 2019N/A
Thompson-Okanagan February 20206.3% vs February 2019N/A
Kelowna February 2020 5.3% vs February 2019 N/A
Vancouver Island / Coast February 20205.3% vs February 2019N/A
Victoria February 2020 3.4% vs February 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