Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 2,800 jobs from last month and decreased by 4,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 3,000 jobs from last month and decreased by 8,800 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 3,400 people from the previous month and increased by 3,900 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 2.1 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 0.9 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.5 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 5,800 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 13,400 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 5,800 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 13,400 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 38,000 workers.
• Manufacturing: 17,400 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 6,000 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 87.6% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 80,700 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 69,700 workers.
• Public administration: 41,200 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Public administration lead employment, representing 49.4% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,500 workers (decreased by 8.06%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 5.5%).
• Transportation and warehousing: Change of 800 workers (decreased by 4.49%).
• Public administration: Change of 600 workers (decreased by 1.44%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 500 workers (decreased by 2.65%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Information, culture and recreation: Change of 7,500 workers (decreased by 33.19%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 7,300 workers (decreased by 17.94%).
• Agriculture: Change of 5,200 workers (increased by Inf%).
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 4,900 workers (increased by 25.39%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 4,700 workers (decreased by 5.5%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.

Employment Trends

Total employment in December 2025 was 234,280, showing a slight decrease of 430 from the previous month. From December last year, employment levels grew by 750, maintaining momentum.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 61.5% in December 2025. This represents a decline of 0.1 percentage points from November (61.6%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points from 61.6%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 3.7% in December 2025, down 0.5 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (3.3%), the rate has increased by 0.4 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The moderate correlation (0.65) between regional and local employment levels indicates some alignment in employment trends. This suggests that local employment partially reflects regional patterns.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.49) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.88 shows a strong relationship. This reveals synchronized unemployment patterns, indicating that economic challenges affect both geographic levels similarly.

Victoria SLA consists of the following communities: North Saanich, Sidney, Central Saanich, Saanich, Oak Bay, Victoria, Esquimalt, Colwood, Metchosin, Langford, View Royal, Highlands, Sooke, Juan de Fuca (Part 1), Cole Bay 3, Union Bay 4, East Saanich 2, South Saanich 1, Becher Bay 1, New Songhees 1A, T'Sou-ke.