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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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August 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) -8,300
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -0.1% Jobs (change since last month) -1,100
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -1.3% Jobs (change since last month) -7,200

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

August 2019 July 2019
Unemployment rate August 2019 5.0% July 2019 4.4%
Participation rate August 2019 65.6% July 2019 65.5%

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)0.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)0
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)+8.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,200
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,300
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)-2.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,100
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-8,600
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,600
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)+3.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,300
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+200
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+4.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+8,800
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,800
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,200
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)+9.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,100
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,100

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 (%) August 2019 vs August 2018
Cariboo August 20196.2% vs August 20185.0%
Kootenay August 20196.0% vs August 20187.3%
Mainland / Southwest August 20194.7% vs August 20184.8%
Abbotsford August 2019 5.1% vs August 2018 5.0%
Mission August 2019 5.1% vs August 2018 5.0%
Vancouver August 2019 4.4% vs August 2018 4.7%
North Coast & Nechako August 20195.0% vs August 20185.2%
Northeast August 20195.5% vs August 20186.0%
Thompson-Okanagan August 20194.6% vs August 20186.1%
Kelowna August 2019 4.4% vs August 2018 6.0%
Vancouver Island / Coast August 20194.2% vs August 20184.9%
Victoria August 2019 3.3% vs August 2018 4.3%

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