Cariboo
Region Overview
The Cariboo economic region covers much of the northern interior of the province, ranging from the Cariboo plateau in the west to the valleys of the Cariboo and Rocky Mountain ranges. It includes the city of Prince George, which acts as a major service centre for the northern half of the province.
Key Facts
- Cariboo is one of the less populated regions.
- The share of the region’s population of working age (15-64) is similar to the provincial share.
- Unemployment in Cariboo has consistently been higher than in the province as a whole.
- Manufacturing activities have a strong presence in the region.
- Jobs in Other Primary (Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping) are located in the Cariboo region.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Employment for this Region (2023)
84,714| Full-time employment: | 80% |
| Part-time employment: | 20% |
Employment for all of B.C. (2023)
2,790,727| Full-time employment (average): | 80% |
| Part-time employment (average): | 20% |
Unemployment Rate for this Region (2023)
6.9%Unemployment Rate for all of B.C. (2023)
5.2%
10-year Unemployment Rate
Unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the population 15 years and older that are not employed.
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Total Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
23,490Forecasted Job Openings
Composition of Job Openings
Forecasted 10-Year Total Employment Growth
3,100Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
0.4%Forecasted Employment Growth Rate (2024 - 2034)
Top Occupations
Top occupations are those with stronger demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.
Industry Highlights
Services sector
The top three Services sectors ranked by the highest share of employment are: Other Services; Wholesale and Retail Trade; and Public Administration.
Goods sector
B.C.'s Goods sector (Agriculture; Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping; Utilities; Construction; and Manufacturing) jobs in Cariboo are heavily dependent on Forest sector operations.
Employment by Industry Table
| Industry | Employment (2023) | % Share of Employment for this Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 3,708 | 4.4% |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 792 | 0.9% |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 2,146 | 2.5% |
| Construction | 7,396 | 8.8% |
| Educational Services | 6,375 | 7.6% |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 2,771 | 3.3% |
| Forestry, Logging and Support Activities | 2,688 | 3.2% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 13,646 | 16.2% |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 1,792 | 2.1% |
| Manufacturing | 8,979 | 10.7% |
| Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction | 2,729 | 3.2% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 4,396 | 5.2% |
| Public Administration | 4,542 | 5.4% |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 3,771 | 4.5% |
| Retail Trade | 10,146 | 12.0% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 4,708 | 5.6% |
| Utilities | 146 | 0.2% |
| Wholesale Trade | 3,479 | 4.1% |