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Canada Jobless Rate Falls More than Expected
The unemployment rate in Canada declined for the second consecutive month in March of 2021, falling 0.7 percentage points to 7.5 percent, the lowest since February 2020 and well below market expectations of 8 percent. This reflected strong employment growth that exceeded the number of people entering the labour market. The number of people unemployed fell 148,000 (-8.9%) in March, with the majority (59.0%) of people leaving unemployment becoming employed. Despite sharp reductions in both February and March, the number of people unemployed stood at 1.5 million, up 371,000 (+32.4%) compared with February 2020. Looking ahead, restrictions have been tightened in a number of jurisdictions across Canada, including in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, where "circuit breaker" lockdowns of various degrees have been implemented in recent weeks and are likely to impact the next labour market release on May 7th.
Published on 2021-04-09

Canada Jobless Rate at 11-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 8.2 percent in February of 2021, the lowest since March 2020 and following 9.4 percent in January. Figures came much lower than market forecasts of 9.2 percent as public health restrictions put in place in late December were eased in many provinces, allowing for the re-opening of many non-essential businesses, cultural and recreational facilities, and some in-person dining. The number of long-term unemployed fell by 49,000 (-9.7 percent) from a record high of 512,000 in January.
Published on 2021-03-12

Canada Jobless Rate Rises to 5-Month High
The unemployment rate in Canada rose 0.6 percentage points to 9.4 percent in January 2021, the highest since August 2020. Meanwhile, the economy shed 213 thousand jobs, well above market forecasts of a 47.5 thousand decline due to part-time work (-225 thousand). The labour force participation rate, defined as the percentage of the population aged 15 and older who are employed or unemployed, fell 0.3 percentage points in January to 64.7%, the lowest rate since August 2020. The youth unemployment rate climbed to 19.7 percent from 17.8 percent in the previous month, the highest since August.
Published on 2021-02-05

Canada Jobless Rate Rises to 8.6% in December
The unemployment rate in Canada increased to 8.6 percent in December of 2020 from 8.5 percent in the previous month, in line with market expectations. The economy shed 62.6 thousand jobs, above forecasts of a 27.5 thousand drop as part-time employment was down by 99 thousand while full-time employment rose by 36.5 thousand. The labour force participation rate decreased to 64.9 percent from 65.1 percent in the prior month, the lowest since August. The youth unemployment rate rose to 17.7 percent from 17.4 percent in the previous month.
Published on 2021-01-08

Canada Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Falls
The unemployment rate in Canada decreased to 8.5 percent in November of 2020 from 8.9 percent in the previous month and compared to market expectations of 8.9 percent. Meanwhile, the economy added 62 thousand jobs, above forecasts of a 20 thousand gain as full-time employment rose by 99 thousand and part-time employment was down by 37 thousand. The labour force participation rate decreased to 65.1 percent from 65.2 percent in the prior month, compared to a consensus of 65.2 percent. The youth unemployment rate went down to 17.4 percent from 18.8 percent in the previous month, the lowest since March.
Published on 2020-12-04

Canada Jobless Rate Falls Less than Expected
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 8.9 percent in October of 2020 from 9.0 percent in the previous month and compared to market expectations of 8.8 percent. The jobless rate fell for the fifth successive month, down from an all-time high of 13.7% reached in May as a result of the COVID-19 economic shutdown, but still remaining well above 5.6% reported in February. The economy added 83.6 thousand jobs, still missing forecasts of a 100 thousand gain, due to both full-time work (+69.1 thousand) and part-time employment (+14.5 thousand). The labour force participation rate increased to 65.2 percent from 65 percent in the prior month, above consensus of 65 percent. The youth unemployment rate went down to 18.8 percent from 18.9 percent in September.
Published on 2020-11-06

Canada Jobless Rate Drops More than Expected
The unemployment rate in Canada dropped to 9.0 percent in September of 2020 from 10.2 percent in the previous month and well below market expectations of 9.7 percent. The jobless rate fell for the fourth consecutive month, down from an all-time high of 13.7% reached in May as a result of the COVID-19 economic shutdown, but still remaining well above 5.6% reported in February. The economy added 378.2 thousand jobs, beating forecasts of a 156.6 thousand gain, due to both full-time work (+334 thousand) and part-time employment (+44 thousand). The labour force participation rate increased to 65 percent from 64.6 percent in the prior month, above consensus of 64.8 percent. The youth unemployment rate declined to 18.9 percent from 23.1 percent in August.
Published on 2020-10-09

Canada Jobless Rate Falls Further in August
The unemployment rate in Canada decreased to 10.2 percent in August of 2020 from 10.9 percent in the previous month and slightly above market expectations of 10.1 percent. The economy added 245.8 thousand jobs, below forecasts of a 275 thousand gain, due to both full-time work (205.8 thousand) and part-time employment (40 thousand). The labour force participation rate went up to a six-month high of 64.6 percent from 64.3 percent in the prior month.
Published on 2020-09-04

Canada Jobless Rate Falls More than Expected
The unemployment rate in Canada dropped to 10.9 percent in July 2020, easing further from April’s record high of 13.7 percent and compared with market expectations of 11 percent, as people continued to return to the labor market amid the easing of coronavirus-induced lockdowns restrictions. The economy added 418.5 thousand jobs, above forecasts of a 400 thousand gain, due to both full-time work (73.2 thousand) and part-time employment (345.3 thousand). The labour force participation rate went up to 64.3 percent from 63.8 percent in the prior month. The youth unemployment rate declined to 24.2 percent from 27.5 percent in June.
Published on 2020-08-07

Canada Jobless Rate Falls from Record High
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 12.3 percent in June 2020 from a record high of 13.7 percent in May, and compared market expectations of 12 percent, as several people returned to the labor market amid the easing of coronavirus-induced lockdowns restrictions. The economy added a record 952.9 thousand jobs, above forecasts of a 700 thousand gain, due to both full-time work (+488.1 thousand) and part-time employment (+464.8 thousand). The labour force participation rate went up to 63.8 percent from 61.4 percent in the previous month while the youth unemployment rate dropped to 27.5 percent from an all-time high of 29.4 percent in May.
Published on 2020-07-10

Canada Jobless Rate Hits Record High of 13.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 13.7 percent in May of 2020 from 13 percent in the previous month and below market expectations of 15 percent. Still, it was the highest jobless rate since comparable data became available in 1976, amid an increase in job seekers after the easing in lockdown restrictions in some parts of the country. The economy unexpectedly added 289.6 thousand jobs, against market expectations of a 500 thousand decline, driven by both full-time work (+219 thousand) and part-time employment (+70 thousand). The easing of Covid-19 restrictions and workplace adaptations likely contributed to the increase. The labour force participation rate went up to 61.4 percent from 59.8 percent in April. The overall youth unemployment rate continued to climb to 29.4 percent from 27.2 percent in the previous month, the highest rate ever recorded.
Published on 2020-06-05

Canada Jobless Rate Highest Since 1982
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 13 percent in April of 2020 from 7.8 percent in the previous month and compared to market expectations of 18 percent. Over the period since comparable data became available in 1976, the April unemployment rate was second only to the 13.1 percent observed in December 1982. The April unemployment rate would be 17.8 percent, when adjusted to reflect those who were not counted as unemployed for reasons specific to the COVID-19 economic shutdown. The economy shed more than 1.99 million jobs due to both full-time work (-1472 thousand) and part-time employment (-521.9 thousand). The labour force participation rate went down to 58.9 percent from 63.5 percent, the lowest on record. In April, the overall youth unemployment rate increased to 27.2 percent from 16.8 percent in the prior month, the highest on record.
Published on 2020-05-08

Canada Jobless Rate Rises to Over 9-Year High
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 7.8 percent in March 2020 from 5.6 percent in the previous month and above market expectations of 7.2 percent. It was the highest jobless rate since October 2010, as the coronavirus pandemic began to take hold. The economy shed more than 1 million jobs, well above forecasts of a 350 thousand decline, due to both full-time work (-474 thousand) and part-time employment (-536.7 thousand). The labour force participation rate went down to 63.5 percent from 65.5 percent, its lowest level since June 1979. In March, the overall youth unemployment rate increased to 16.8 percent from 10.3 percent in the prior month, recording the highest jobless rate since June 1997.
Published on 2020-04-09

Canada February Jobless Rate Edges Up to 5.6%
The unemployment rate in Canada rose marginally to 5.6 percent in February of 2020 from 5.5 percent in the previous month and matching market expectations, Th economy added 30.3 thousand jobs, beating forecasts of a 10 thousand increase, driven by gains in full-time work (41.9 thousand) and part-time employment (39.4 thousand). The labour force participation rate went up to 65.5 percent from 64.4 percent in January, while markets had expected it to remain steady. In February, the overall youth unemployment rate was unchanged at 10.3%.
Published on 2020-03-06

Canada Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Falls to 5.5% in January
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 5.5 percent in January 2020 from 5.6 percent in the previous month and below market expectations of 5.6 percent. The economy added 34.5 thousand jobs, beating forecasts of a 15 thousand rise, driven by gains in full-time work (+35.7 thousand) while part-time employment declined (-1.2 thousand). The labour force participation rate dropped to 65.4 percent from 65.5 percent in December, compared to market consensus of 65.6 percent.
Published on 2020-02-07

Canada Jobless Rate Falls to 5.6%
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 5.6 percent in December of 2019 from 5.9 percent in the previous month and below market expectations of 5.8 percent. The economy added 35.2 thousand jobs, driven by gains in full-time work (+38.4 thousand). Meantime, the labour force participation rate fell to 65.5 percent from 65.6 percent in November, below market consensus of 65.7 percent. During the year, the unemployment rate declined to a record low of 5.4 percent in May.
Published on 2020-01-10

Canada Jobless Rate Rises to Over 1-Year High of 5.9%
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 5.9 percent in November 2019 from 5.5 percent in the previous month and compared with market expectations of 5.5 percent. It was the highest jobless rate since September last year, as the economy shed 71.2 thousand jobs, due to a fall in both full time employment (-38.4 thousand) and part-time (-32.8 thousand). The labour force participation rate fell to 65.6 percent from 65.7 percent in October, below market consensus of 65.7 percent.
Published on 2019-12-06

Canada Jobless Rate Steady at 5.5%
The unemployment rate in Canada was at 5.5 percent in October 2019, unchanged from the previous month and in line with market expectations, remaining the lowest jobless rate since June. The economy shed 1.8 thousand jobs, as full time employment declined (-16,100) while part-time rose (+14,300).
Published on 2019-11-08

Canada Jobless Rate Falls to 3-Month Low of 5.5%
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 5.5 percent in September of 2019 from 5.7 percent in the previous month and below market expectations of 5.7 percent. It was the lowest jobless rate since June, as the economy added 53.7 thousand jobs, driven by gains in full-time work (+70 thousand) while part-time works fell (-16.3 thousand).
Published on 2019-10-11

Canada Jobless Rate Remains at 4-Month High of 5.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada remained unchanged at 5.7 percent in August of 2019, matching the high of April and in line with market expectations. Employment rose by 81,100, well above an expected 15,000 gain, driven by both full-time employment (+23,800) and part-time employment (+57,200).
Published on 2019-09-06