Northeast
Region Overview
The Northeast economic region shares a border with Alberta and the Yukon and is part of the Peace River Basin. It is separated from the northwestern part of the province by the Rocky Mountain Trench. The main population centres in the region are Fort St. John and Dawson Creek.
Key Facts
- Northeast is the least populated region in the province.
- About 68 per cent of the region’s population was of working age (15-64).
- The region’s unemployment rate is consistently lower than the provincial rate.
- The Services sector is the primary source of employment in the 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)
36,130| Full-time employment: | 81% |
| Part-time employment: | 19% |
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)
5.1%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)
11,190Forecasted Job Openings
Composition of Job Openings
Forecasted 10-Year Total Employment Growth
2,400Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
0.6%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
The Northeast region accounts for a small proportion of provincial employment.
Services sector
This region has less employment in the Services sector than most regions. This was reflected in smaller than average shares of provincial employment in many Services industries.
Goods sector
The Northeast accounted for around three percent of provincial employment in the Goods-producing sector (Agriculture; Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping; Utilities; Construction; and Manufacturing).
Employment by Industry Table
| Industry | Employment (2023) | % Share of Employment for this Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 2,708 | 7.5% |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 125 | 0.3% |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 562 | 1.6% |
| Construction | 4,250 | 11.8% |
| Educational Services | 2,479 | 6.9% |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 979 | 2.7% |
| Forestry, Logging and Support Activities | 604 | 1.7% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 3,229 | 9.0% |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 833 | 2.3% |
| Manufacturing | 1,417 | 3.9% |
| Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction | 4,521 | 12.6% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,604 | 4.5% |
| Public Administration | 1,167 | 3.2% |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 1,917 | 5.3% |
| Retail Trade | 5,167 | 14.4% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 2,771 | 7.7% |
| Utilities | 542 | 1.5% |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,125 | 3.1% |