Vancouver Island and Coast Economic Region
Workforce Insights
Key Insights
Employment
increased by 3,000 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 100 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Full-time Employment
increased by 6,100 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 2,800 jobs
year-over-year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 3,100 jobs
from the previous month and
increased by 2,700 jobs
year-over-year.
Unemployment
increased by 2,800 people
from the previous month and
increased by 3,900 people
compared to the same month last year.
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
increased by 6,100 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 2,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 3,100 jobs
from last month and
increased by 2,700 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 2,800 people
from the previous month and
increased by 3,900 people
compared to last year.
Scroll down to explore the data
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 1 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 0.7 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 0.6 percentage points
year-over-year.
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
increased by 3,000 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 100 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
increased by 3,000 jobs
.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 100 jobs
.
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction
:
41,200
workers.
Manufacturing
:
21,400
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas
:
8,800
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, which together account for a substantial share of the workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance
:
86,200
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade
:
68,200
workers.
Public administration
:
45,900
workers.
In the Services sector, Health Care, Retail, and Professional Services lead employment, representing a dominant portion of the workforce.
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Information, culture and recreation
: Change of
2,200
workers (
decreased by
12.15
%).
Agriculture
: Change of
2,100
workers (
increased by
Inf
%).
Professional, scientific and technical services
: Change of
1,900
workers (
decreased by
4.97
%).
Utilities
: Change of
1,800
workers (
decreased by
100
%).
Transportation and warehousing
: Change of
1,800
workers (
increased by
11.46
%).
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
8,700
workers (
decreased by
35.37
%).
Professional, scientific and technical services
: Change of
7,100
workers (
decreased by
16.36
%).
Health care and social assistance
: Change of
7,100
workers (
increased by
8.98
%).
Other services (except public administration)
: Change of
5,700
workers (
decreased by
30
%).
Educational services
: Change of
4,300
workers (
increased by
12.39
%).
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.
Local Workforce Insights
Key Local Labour Market Insights
Total local employment stands at 240,350 in December 2024, it improved by 7,440 jobs from November and grew by 9,120 jobs year-over-year.
The local employment rate reached 63.2%. It showed growth of 1.8 percentage points
from November and rose by 0.4 percentage points from same month last year.
Local unemployment rate reached 3.6%. It fell by 0.1 percentage points month-over-month, and declined by 0.2 percentage points year-over-year.
Employment Trends
Total employment in December 2024 was 240,350, showing a substantial increase of 7,440. from December, employment levels showed an uptick of 9,120, maintaining momentum.
Scroll down to explore more data
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 63.2% in December 2024. This represents a rise of 1.8 percentage points from November (61.4%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 0.4 percentage points from 62.8%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 3.6% in December 2024, down 0.1 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (3.8%), the rate has decreased by 0.2 percentage points.
Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns
The moderate correlation (0.50) 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 (0.65) 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 0.52 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.
Victoria
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, Esquimalt, New Songhees 1A, T'Sou-ke
.
Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment,
and employment unemployment rates estimates at "small-area" level.
Victoria
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, Esquimalt, New Songhees 1A, T'Sou-ke
.
Scroll down to explore the data
Local area
Employment Trends
Total employment in December 2024 was 240,350, showing a substantial increase of 7,440. from December, employment levels showed an uptick of 9,120, maintaining momentum.
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Local area
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 63.2% in December 2024. This represents a rise of 1.8 percentage points from November (61.4%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 0.4 percentage points from 62.8%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 3.6% in December 2024, down 0.1 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (3.8%), the rate has decreased by 0.2 percentage points.
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Local area
Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.65) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Local area
Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
The unemployment rate correlation of 0.52 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Economic region
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
increased by 6,100 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 2,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 3,100 jobs
from last month and
increased by 2,700 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 2,800 people
from the previous month and
increased by 3,900 people
compared to last year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Economic region
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 1 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 0.7 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 0.6 percentage points
year-over-year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Economic region
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
increased by 3,000 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 100 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
increased by 3,000 jobs
.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 100 jobs
.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Economic region
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction
:
41,200
workers.
Manufacturing
:
21,400
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas
:
8,800
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, which together account for a substantial share of the workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance
:
86,200
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade
:
68,200
workers.
Public administration
:
45,900
workers.
In the Services sector, Health Care, Retail, and Professional Services lead employment, representing a dominant portion of the workforce.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Information, culture and recreation
: Change of
2,200
workers (
decreased by
12.15
%).
Agriculture
: Change of
2,100
workers (
increased by
Inf
%).
Professional, scientific and technical services
: Change of
1,900
workers (
decreased by
4.97
%).
Utilities
: Change of
1,800
workers (
decreased by
100
%).
Transportation and warehousing
: Change of
1,800
workers (
increased by
11.46
%).
These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year
Information, culture and recreation
: Change of
8,700
workers (
decreased by
35.37
%).
Professional, scientific and technical services
: Change of
7,100
workers (
decreased by
16.36
%).
Health care and social assistance
: Change of
7,100
workers (
increased by
8.98
%).
Other services (except public administration)
: Change of
5,700
workers (
decreased by
30
%).
Educational services
: Change of
4,300
workers (
increased by
12.39
%).
The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Economic region
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.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Employment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 94 small areas in British Columbia, Victoria ranks 1st with an employment rate of 63.2%. The provincial range is 36.2% to 63.2%, with half of areas between 42.5% and 54.7% (median: 48.8%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 94 small areas in British Columbia, Victoria ranks 1st with an unemployment rate of 3.6%. The provincial range is 3.6% to 15.6%, with half of areas between 5.5% and 7.0% (median: 6.1%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2025
Vancouver Island and Coast Economic region — Labour Market Outlook
Total Job Openings
Most Job Openings
Job openings and employment by occupation and industry for the period 2024-2034
Forecasted number of new job openings in the period 2024-2034
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Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
Forecasted employment in the period 2024-2034
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Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
High-opportunity occupations
High opportunity occupations by NOC based on forecasted number of job openings in the period 2024-2034
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
BC workforce supply composition for the period 2024-2034
Forecasted number of new job market entrants in the period 2024-2034
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Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
These job openings provide a forecast for the demand for labour
with the associated education background. This is a demand projection only
and is not a measure of how many graduates the B.C. education system needs to produce.
These job openings are projected to be supplied through a mix of young
B.C. residents starting work after being educated either in B.C. or
other jurisdictions, immigrants, migrants from other provinces,
or existing residents pursuing additional education.
Planners should take these other possible sources of supply into account
when using these projections for post-secondary program planning purposes.
