Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 400 jobs from last month and decreased by 17,400 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 1,100 jobs from last month and remained unchanged year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 400 people from the previous month and decreased by 300 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 2.4 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 0.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 2.5 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 700 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 17,400 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 700 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 17,400 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 46,000 workers.
• Manufacturing: 17,900 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 8,900 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 96.9% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 86,300 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 56,600 workers.
• Professional, scientific and technical services: 46,300 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Professional, scientific and technical services lead employment, representing 49.9% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 3,100 workers (increased by 7.18%).
• Educational services: Change of 2,600 workers (decreased by 7.69%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 2,000 workers (increased by 2.37%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 1,600 workers (decreased by 8.21%).
• Public administration: Change of 1,400 workers (increased by 3.6%).

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 8,300 workers (decreased by 12.79%).
• Public administration: Change of 5,700 workers (decreased by 12.39%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 5,000 workers (increased by 6.15%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 4,700 workers (increased by 11.3%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 4,400 workers (decreased by 24.58%).

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 July 2026 was 229,000, showing a moderate decrease of 1,300 from the previous month. From July last year, employment levels fell by 7,920, showing weakness.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 60.1% in July 2026. This represents a decline of 0.3 percentage points from June (60.4%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 2.1 percentage points from 62.2%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.2% in July 2026, up 1.2 percentage points from June. Compared to July last year (6.2%), the rate has decreased by 0.0 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The strong correlation (0.85) 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 (0.84) 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 0.57 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.