rural river with rolling green hillsides and mountains in the distance

Northeast

Regional Profile
Population - age 15+
(Dec 2023)
56,300
Employment
(Dec 2023)
37,600
Unemployment Rate
(Dec 2023)
4.1%
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
9,660

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 (2021)

37,700
Full-time employment:81%
Part-time employment:19%

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)

4.3%

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.

Northeast
Low:
4%
High:
9.7%
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)

9,660
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

9,660

Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate

0.5%

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 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).