CANADA – Canada’s September Labour Force Survey Results showed that little change in national employment.
According to results, the unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 5.2 per cent as fewer people searched for work.
Employment declined for a second consecutive month among young women aged 15 to 24 but increased among male youth and core-aged women (25 to 54 years) in September.
Gains in educational services and health care and social assistance were offset by losses in manufacturing; information, culture and recreation; transportation and warehousing and public administration.
The number of employees in the public sector rose in September, partially offsetting declines recorded in July and August. Employment was little changed among employees in the private sector and among self-employed workers.
Employment increased in four provinces, led by British Columbia, while there were fewer people working in Ontario and Prince Edward Island.
In September, there were just under one million (983,000; 57.5 per cent) people aged 55 to 64 who cited retirement as their main active
Employment Rebounds In The Public Sector, Boosted By Educational Services
After declining for two consecutive months, the number of employees in the public sector increased by 35,000 (+0.8 per cent) in September. Most of the gain was attributable to the educational services industry, which accounts for close to one-third (30.4 per cent) of employees in the public sector (not seasonally adjusted).
The number of private sector employees was little changed in September. Despite seeing little growth since June, the number of private sector employees was up 316,000 on a year-over-year basis, and accounted for close to three-quarters (72.8 per cent) of the net increase in the number of employees (+434,000) over the past 12 months.
Since September 2019, self-employment has declined notably in construction (-52,000; -12.0 per cent) and “other services” (-59,000; -23.5 per cent), which includes personal and repair services, as well as civic and religious organizations (not seasonally adjusted).
Average Hourly Wages Increase 5.2 Per Cent on a Year-Over-Year Basis
Average hourly wages were up in nearly all industries on a year-over-year basis in September, including in accommodation and food services (+8.7 per cent; +$1.51 to $18.89).
Gains in average hourly wages are the result of multiple factors, including wage growth and changes in the composition of employment by industry and occupation. In September, wage gains were boosted by year-over year growth in the number of employees in relatively high-paying industries, including construction (+109,000; +10.0 per cent) and professional, scientific and technical services (+56,000; +4.4 per cent).
Fewer People Worked From Home In September
The proportion of workers who report that they usually work exclusively at home fell slightly from 16.8 per cent in August to 16.3 per cent in September. The share of workers with hybrid arrangements—that is, who usually work both at home and in a location other than home—was unchanged in September, at 8.6 per cent (population aged 15 to 69, not seasonally adjusted).
Excerpts from Labour Force Survey September 2022.
