Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Overview
The Vancouver Island/Coast economic region is located on the west coast of B.C. and includes all of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and some of the coastal regions of the Mainland, from the Powell River area up to the Central Coast. It includes Nanaimo and the provincial capital, Victoria.
Key Facts
- The Capital Regional District is the most highly populated area in Vancouver Island/Coast.
- Of all the regions, Vancouver Island/Coast had the smallest proportion of children (14 years of age and younger) in its population. It also had one of the highest shares of seniors (65 years of age and older). As a result, the median age in Vancouver Island/Coast was among the highest of all the regions.
- A large proportion of B.C.’s Public Administration employment occurs in Vancouver Island/Coast, reflecting the presence of the provincial capital in the region.
- Most of the employment in Vancouver Island/Coast is in the Services sector.
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)
441,379| Full-time employment: | 77% |
| Part-time employment: | 23% |
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)
166,740Forecasted Job Openings
Composition of Job Openings
Forecasted 10-Year Total Employment Growth
49,290Forecasted Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
1.1%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 Vancouver Island/Coast region accounts for the second largest percentage of provincial employment.
Services sector
Vancouver Island/Coast is a mixture of urban and rural areas, and its economy reflects this diversity. As Victoria is the capital city, there is a large government presence.
Goods sector
Vancouver Island/Coast accounts for a large proportion of provincial employment in the Goods-producing sector (Agriculture; Forestry; Mining, Oil and Gas; Fishing, Hunting and Trapping; Utilities; Construction; and Manufacturing).
In the more rural areas of Vancouver Island/Coast, there are significant resource-based activities.
Employment by Industry Table
| Industry | Employment (2023) | % Share of Employment for this Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 33,125 | 7.5% |
| Agriculture and Fishing | 4,771 | 1.1% |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 14,917 | 3.4% |
| Construction | 38,896 | 8.8% |
| Educational Services | 34,271 | 7.8% |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 22,792 | 5.2% |
| Forestry, Logging and Support Activities | 3,729 | 0.8% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 72,833 | 16.5% |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 18,188 | 4.1% |
| Manufacturing | 19,021 | 4.3% |
| Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction | 2,688 | 0.6% |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 35,688 | 8.1% |
| Public Administration | 42,250 | 9.6% |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 16,292 | 3.7% |
| Retail Trade | 55,583 | 12.6% |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 15,021 | 3.4% |
| Utilities | 1,375 | 0.3% |
| Wholesale Trade | 9,062 | 2.1% |