Thompson-Okanagan
Region Overview
The Thompson-Okanagan economic region is located in the interior of the province. It stretches from Princeton in the west to Golden and the Alberta border in the east, to Osoyoos and the Washington state border in the south. Kelowna and Kamloops are the largest cities in the region.
Key Facts
- Thompson-Okanagan is the third most populated region in the province.
- Most of the region’s population is of working age (15–64 years old), the lowest share in the province.
- The median age of the region’s population is higher than the provincial median age.
- The region’s unemployment rate is consistently higher than the provincial rate.
- A large share of B.C.’s Agriculture employment is located in this 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)
303,088| Full-time employment: | 79% |
| Part-time employment: | 21% |
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)
4.2%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)
121,860Forecasted Job Openings
Composition of Job Openings
Forecasted 10-Year Total Employment Growth
37,210Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
1.2%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 Thompson-Okanagan region accounts for the third largest percentage of provincial employment.
Services sector
With its hot, dry summers, Thompson-Okanagan is popular as both a vacation destination and a place for retirees to live. These factors play a role in the region’s relatively large share of provincial employment in some Services sector industries.
Goods sector
Thompson-Okanagan has some of the best agricultural land in the province and is a prime location for vineyards and orchards. There are also some cattle ranches in the region. Thompson-Okanagan accounts for a moderate proportion of provincial employment in the Goods-producing sector (Agriculture; Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping; Utilities; Construction; and Manufacturing). Agricultural employment in high in this region.
Employment by Industry Table
| Industry | Employment (2023) | % Share of Employment for this Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 23,271 | 7.7% |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 6,562 | 2.2% |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 11,417 | 3.8% |
| Construction | 33,458 | 11.1% |
| Educational Services | 22,167 | 7.3% |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 14,750 | 4.9% |
| Forestry, Logging and Support Activities | 1,896 | 0.6% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 41,396 | 13.7% |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 10,667 | 3.5% |
| Manufacturing | 21,625 | 7.2% |
| Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction | 4,375 | 1.4% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 21,896 | 7.3% |
| Public Administration | 13,146 | 4.4% |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 12,021 | 4.0% |
| Retail Trade | 40,312 | 13.4% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 9,875 | 3.3% |
| Utilities | 2,917 | 1.0% |
| Wholesale Trade | 10,000 | 3.3% |