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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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January 2019

B.C. employment trends

		Jobs (% change since last month)
Total employment	Jobs (% change since last month) +0.3%	Jobs (change since last month) +8,700
Full time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) -0.7%	Jobs (change since last month) -13,900
Part time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) +4.1%	Jobs (change since last month) +22,600

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

				January 2019	December 2018
Unemployment rate				January 2019 4.7%	December 2018 4.4%
Participation rate				January 2019 65.7%	December 2018 65.4%

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)+2.9%	Jobs (change since last month)+5,600
Agriculture	Jobs (% change since last month)+4.4%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,100
Construction	Jobs (% change since last month)-4.5%	Jobs (change since last month)-11,200
Educational Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+2.8%	Jobs (change since last month)+4,600
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)-1.8%	Jobs (change since last month)-5,700
Manufacturing	Jobs (% change since last month)-2.0%	Jobs (change since last month)-3,500
Other Primary	Jobs (% change since last month)-9.3%	Jobs (change since last month)-4,800
Other Services	Jobs (% change since last month)-3.5%	Jobs (change since last month)-4,200
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+0.8%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,800
Public Administration	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.4%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,500
Transportation and Warehousing	Jobs (% change since last month)+4.6%	Jobs (change since last month)+6,400
Utilities	Jobs (% change since last month)+4.1%	Jobs (change since last month)+500
Wholesale and Retail Trade	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.9%	Jobs (change since last month)+6,900

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Regional highlights

Unemployment rate (%)	January 2019	vs	January 2018
Cariboo	January 20195.9%	vs	January 20187.3%
Kootenay	January 20193.1%	vs	January 20187.4%
Mainland / Southwest	January 20194.7%	vs	January 20184.0%
Abbotsford	January 2019 4.8%	vs	January 2018 4.4%
Mission	January 2019 4.8%	vs	January 2018 4.4%
Vancouver	January 2019 4.8%	vs	January 2018 4.1%
North Coast & Nechako	January 20194.1%	vs	January 20185.7%
Northeast	January 20195.5%	vs	January 20183.8%
Thompson-Okanagan	January 20195.0%	vs	January 20187.2%
Kelowna	January 2019 3.1%	vs	January 2018 6.5%
Vancouver Island / Coast	January 20193.8%	vs	January 20185.3%
Victoria	January 2019 3.6%	vs	January 2018 3.9%

Source: Monthly Labour Force Survey, 3-month moving average, seasonally unadjusted