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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 2021

B.C. employment trends

		Jobs (% change since last month)
Total employment	Jobs (% change since last month) +0.1%	Jobs (change since last month) +2,800
Full time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) +0.2%	Jobs (change since last month) +4,500
Part time positions	Jobs (% change since last month) -0.3%	Jobs (change since last month) -1,700

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

				January 2021	December 2020
Unemployment rate				January 2021 8.0%	December 2020 7.2%
Participation rate				January 2021 65.4%	December 2020 64.3%

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)-4.2%	Jobs (change since last month)-7,600
Agriculture	Jobs (% change since last month)-18.8%	Jobs (change since last month)-5,800
Construction	Jobs (% change since last month)-0.7%	Jobs (change since last month)-1,500
Educational Services	Jobs (% change since last month)-4.0%	Jobs (change since last month)-7,700
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing	Jobs (% change since last month)-0.6%	Jobs (change since last month)-900
Health Care and Social Assistance	Jobs (% change since last month)+1.1%	Jobs (change since last month)+3,800
Manufacturing	Jobs (% change since last month)-1.5%	Jobs (change since last month)-2,700
Other Primary	Jobs (% change since last month)+0.4%	Jobs (change since last month)+200
Other Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+2.7%	Jobs (change since last month)+2,800
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	Jobs (% change since last month)+4.2%	Jobs (change since last month)+10,100
Public Administration	Jobs (% change since last month)+3.8%	Jobs (change since last month)+4,900
Transportation and Warehousing	Jobs (% change since last month)-0.6%	Jobs (change since last month)-900
Utilities	Jobs (% change since last month)+10.3%	Jobs (change since last month)+1,900
Wholesale and Retail Trade	Jobs (% change since last month)-0.6%	Jobs (change since last month)-2,500

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Regional highlights

Unemployment rate (%)	January 2021	vs	January 2020
Cariboo	January 20218.8%	vs	January 20207.5%
Kootenay	January 20217.2%	vs	January 20204.4%
Mainland / Southwest	January 20217.5%	vs	January 20204.4%
Abbotsford	January 2021 8.2%	vs	January 2020 5.0%
Mission	January 2021 8.2%	vs	January 2020 5.0%
Vancouver	January 2021 7.6%	vs	January 2020 4.5%
North Coast & Nechako	January 20216.3%	vs	January 20203.5%
Northeast	January 20214.1%	vs	January 20204.2%
Thompson-Okanagan	January 20217.4%	vs	January 20205.5%
Kelowna	January 2021 5.0%	vs	January 2020 4.2%
Vancouver Island / Coast	January 20217.1%	vs	January 20205.1%
Victoria	January 2021 5.0%	vs	January 2020 3.5%

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