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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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April 2021

B.C. employment trends

Jobs (% change since last month) Jobs (change since last month)
Total employment Jobs (% change since last month) -1.6% Jobs (change since last month) -43,100
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -0.3% Jobs (change since last month) -5,700
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -6.1% Jobs (change since last month) -37,400

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

April 2021 March 2021
Unemployment rate April 2021 7.1% March 2021 6.9%
Participation rate April 2021 65.1% March 2021 66.1%

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)-12.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-21,900
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)-7.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,800
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,200
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,800
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,100
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,400
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+4,900
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)+5.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,700
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+6,800
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)0.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)0
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,600
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)+6.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,200
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-4,600

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 (%) April 2021 vs April 2020
Cariboo April 20216.1% vs April 20209.7%
Kootenay April 20216.2% vs April 202011.4%
Mainland / Southwest April 20217.2% vs April 20207.5%
Abbotsford April 2021 5.5% vs April 2020 5.9%
Mission April 2021 5.5% vs April 2020 5.9%
Vancouver April 2021 7.4% vs April 2020 7.5%
North Coast & Nechako April 20218.1% vs April 20208.9%
Northeast April 20214.9% vs April 20207.4%
Thompson-Okanagan April 20218.1% vs April 20209.0%
Kelowna April 2021 5.7% vs April 2020 8.1%
Vancouver Island / Coast April 20217.2% vs April 20208.4%
Victoria April 2021 6.2% vs April 2020 7.2%

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