Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 1,700 jobs from last month and decreased by 14,500 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 4,100 jobs from last month and decreased by 300 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 2,600 people from the previous month and decreased by 1,000 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 decreased by 0.1 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 2.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 2,300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 14,800 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 2,300 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 14,800 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 42,400 workers.
• Manufacturing: 17,600 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 8,600 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 96.6% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 89,000 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 56,000 workers.
• Professional, scientific and technical services: 46,000 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Professional, scientific and technical services lead employment, representing 49.5% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Construction: Change of 3,600 workers (decreased by 7.83%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 2,700 workers (increased by 3.13%).
• Public administration: Change of 2,300 workers (increased by 5.71%).
• Educational services: Change of 2,100 workers (increased by 6.73%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 800 workers (increased by 5.16%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 9,800 workers (decreased by 14.89%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 6,800 workers (increased by 8.27%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 6,800 workers (decreased by 34.34%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 4,100 workers (increased by 9.79%).
• Agriculture: Change of 3,400 workers (decreased by 58.62%).

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, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.

Employment Trends

Total employment in August 2026 was 226,960, showing a measured decrease of 2,040 from the previous month. Compared to August last year, employment levels declined by 5,290, experiencing pressure.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 59.5% in August 2026. This represents a decline of 0.6 percentage points from July (60.1%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 1.4 percentage points from 60.9%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.2% in August 2026, down 0.0 percentage points from July. Compared to August last year (6.0%), the rate has increased by 0.2 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The strong correlation (0.83) between regional and local employment levels indicates very similar employment patterns at both geographic levels. This suggests that local employment closely follows regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.82) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.67 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.

Victoria SLA consists of the following communities: Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Juan de Fuca (Part 1), Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal.