False Creek Harbour

Mainland/Southwest

Regional Profile
Population - age 15+
(Dec 2023)
2,836,000
Employment
(Dec 2023)
1,833,500
Unemployment Rate
(Dec 2023)
5.3%
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
654,560

Region Overview

The Mainland/Southwest economic region is located in the southwest corner of the B.C. mainland. It includes the Greater Vancouver area, the Fraser Valley and the Sunshine Coast, and stretches north to include Whistler, Pemberton and Lillooet.

Key Facts

  • Mainland/Southwest is the province’s largest region by population but the smallest by land mass. The population primarily lives in urban areas.
  • The share of the region’s population of working age (15-64) is the highest share for this category in the province.
  • The majority of all B.C. employment in Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing and in Professional Scientific and Technical Services are concentrated in this region.
  • Most of the employment in the region is in the Services sector.
  • Unemployment in the region is typically below the provincial rate.

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 (2021)

1,701,300
Full-time employment:78%
Part-time employment:22%

Employment for all of B.C. (2021)

2,655,700
Full-time employment (average):78%
Part-time employment (average):22%
Source: 2021 Labour Force Survey

Unemployment Rate for this Region (2021)

6.9%

Unemployment Rate for all of B.C. (2021)

6.5%

10-year Unemployment Rate
Unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the population 15 years and older that are not employed.

Mainland/Southwest
Low:
4.4%
High:
9%
British Columbia
Low:
4.7%
High:
8.9%
Source: 2021 Labour Force Survey

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 (2022-2032)

654,560
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted 10-Year Total Employment Growth

654,560

Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate

1.3%

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate (2022 - 2032)

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Top Occupations

Top occupations are those with stronger demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.

Industry Highlights

The Mainland/Southwest region accounts for the largest percent of provincial employment.

Services sector

Vancouver is the financial and business capital of B.C. and is the location of head offices for many businesses that operate in the province, including financial institutions. This explains why this region accounts for much of the provincial employment.

Goods sector

Mainland/Southwest is home to the most Goods-producing industry jobs (Agriculture; Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping; Utilities; Construction; and Manufacturing).

Given its urban nature, the region has few resource-based operations and therefore only accounts for around a quarter of total Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; and Fishing, Hunting and Trapping jobs. However, the region has a concentration of Construction employment due to the region’s busy housing market, as well as work on office buildings and major projects.