January to March, 2023
Introduction
About the Ontario Employment Report
The Ontario Employment Report is released four times a year and provides an assessment of the current trends and developments in the Ontario labour market. The Ontario Employment Report is a companion report to the Ontario Economic Accounts, which provides an overall assessment of the current state of the Ontario economy.
Methodological note
In the current issue, year-over-year change represents change between the averages in the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. Note that the Ontario Economic Accounts report primarily shows changes between the previous and the current quarter.
This report uses seasonally adjusted data in charts displaying data with a monthly frequency in the Overview section.
Unadjusted data are used in charts and tables showing the changes for the current quarter compared with the same quarter for the previous year. Unadjusted data are also used to calculate annual averages, year-to-date averages and 2023 first quarter averages.
All estimates in this report are based on Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (LFS), which measures the current state of the national provincial and territorial labour market. The LFS is based on a household survey carried out monthly by Statistics Canada in reference weeks of the month. The reference periods for the three months of the first quarter of 2023 are January 15 to 21, February 12 to 18 and March 12 to 18.
Overview
Ontario’s labour market overview
Employment:
- +207,900 net jobs in Q1 2023, year-over-year
- +214,500 net full-time jobs in Q1 2023, year-over-year
- +21,400 net jobs in March 2023
- -12,500 full-time jobs in March 2023
Unemployment rate:
- 5.3% in the first quarter of 2023
- 5.1% in March 2023
Year-over-year, Ontario’s employment increased by 2.7% (+207,900) in the first quarter of 2023, while Canada’s employment increased by 2.9% (+555,400).
Ontario’s unemployment rate was 5.3% in the first quarter of 2023, slightly lower than the Canadian rate of 5.4%.
In March 2023, Ontario’s employment increased slightly (+21,400, +0.3%), driven by gains in part-time employment (+33,900, +2.6%). Canada’s employment also edged up in March 2023 (+34,700, +0.2%).
In March 2023, the unemployment rate in Ontario remained unchanged at 5.1% and the rate in Canada also remained unchanged at 5.0%.
Year-over-year overview
Ontario’s labour market, January 2014 – March 2023 (seasonally adjusted)
The combination line and area chart shows Ontario’s unemployment rate (line chart) and employment (area chart) from January 2014 to March 2023. Ontario’s unemployment rate has trended downwards since January 2014, reaching 5.2% in January 2020, before rising to 14.0% in May 2020, and falling to 5.1% in March 2023. Employment in Ontario has risen steadily since January 2014, reaching just over 7.5 million workers in January 2020, before dropping to just above 6.3 million workers in May 2020, then rising to just under 7.9 million workers in March 2023.
Between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023:
- employment gains were driven by growth in full-time employment (+214,500, +3.5%) while part-time employment slightly decreased (-6,600, -0.5%);
- employment increased in the private sector (+3.8%) and public sector (+2.1%), but declined for those who are self-employed (-1.1%);
- employment increased in services-producing industries (+2.5%) and goods-producing industries (+3.7%);
- employment increased in every region with Eastern Ontario (+4.2%) experiencing the highest rate of employment growth; and
- employment increased for all age groups with youth experiencing the highest rate of employment growth (+5.9%) compared to other age groups.
Type of Work quarterly details
Employment change by work status, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in Ontario’s employment by full-time and part-time status. Total employment increased by 207,900 (+2.7%), with full-time employment increasing by 214,500 (+3.5%), and part-time employment decreasing by 6,600 (-0.5%).
Year-over-year, full-time employment increased by 3.5% and part-time employment decreased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2023.
Employment change by employment sector, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in Ontario’s employment for the private sector, public sector and self-employment. Employment increased in the private sector by 188,400 (+3.8%) and the public sector by 31,700 (+2.1%) and declined for the self-employed by 12,100 (-1.1%).
Year-over-year, employment increased by 3.8% for the private sector and 2.1% for the public sector
Employment change by above-average wage and below-average wage industries, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022footnote 3
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in Ontario’s employment for above- and below-average wage industries, compared to the paid employment in all industries. Employment increased in both above-average wage (+114,900, +4.4%) and below-average wage (+105,000, +2.7%) industries. Paid employment in all industries (excluding self-employment) increased by 220,000 (+3.4%).
Year-over-year, paid employment increased by 4.4% in above-average wage industries and by 2.7% in below-average wage industries.
Sector and occupation quarterly details
Employment change by industry, goods-producing industries, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in Ontario’s employment by industry for goods-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Employment increased in all five goods-producing industries: construction (+3.5%), manufacturing (+2.3%), agriculture (+18.4%), utilities (+7.6%) and forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+6.8%). The overall employment in goods-producing industries increased by 55,200 (+3.7%).
Employment in goods-producing industries increased by 3.7% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The overall gain was driven by increases in construction (+3.5%), while the remaining industries also experienced employment increases, with agriculture reporting the largest rate of employment growth (+18.4%).
Employment change by industry, services-producing industries, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in Ontario’s employment by industry for services-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Employment increased in eight of the eleven services-producing industries. Accommodation and food services (+13.7%) experienced the largest increase in employment, followed by professional, scientific and technical services (+4.1%), public administration (+7.7%), finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+4.6%), health care and social assistance (+3.1%), other services (except public administration) (+6.1%), information, culture and recreation (+3.7%), and business, building and other support services (+1.5%). Employment declined in educational services (-0.2%), transportation and warehousing (-2.7%) and wholesale and retail trade (-3.5%). The overall employment in services-producing industries increased by 152,700 (+2.5%).
In the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, employment increased in the services-producing industries (+2.5%). Eight services-producing industries experienced employment growth with accommodation and food services experiencing the largest employment gain and the highest rate of employment growth (+13.7%), followed by professional, scientific and technical services (+4.1%) and public administration (+7.7%). Three industry groups experienced a decline in employment with the largest decrease in wholesale and retail trade (-3.5%).
Employment change by occupational group, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022footnote 4
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in Ontario’s employment by broad occupational group measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Management occupations (+8.8%) experienced the largest employment increase, followed by trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (+5.9%), occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (+5.8%), natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+3.0%), health occupations (+3.3%), occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (+7.2%), and business, finance and administration occupations (+0.1%). Employment declined in sales and service occupations (-0.2%), natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (-6.8%) and occupations in manufacturing and utilities (-4.6%).
Year-over-year, management occupations (+8.8%) experienced the highest rate of employment growth and the largest employment gain followed by trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (+5.9%), and education, law and social, community and government services (+5.8%). Three occupation groups experienced a decline in employment with the largest decrease in manufacturing and utilities (-4.6%).
Geographic region
Ontario regionsfootnote 5
The map shows Ontario’s five regions: Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area.
Employment change by Ontario region, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022footnote 6
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in employment in the five Ontario regions: Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Employment increased in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) (+1.9%), Central Ontario (+4.0%), Eastern Ontario (+4.2%), Southwestern Ontario (+3.0%), and Northern Ontario (+0.5%). The overall employment in Ontario increased by 207,900 (+2.7%).
Year-over-year, employment increased in all Ontario regions in the first quarter of 2023. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Unemployment rates by Ontario region, Q1 2023footnote 8
The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by Ontario region in the first quarter of 2023 with percentage point changes from the first quarter of 2022 in brackets. Southwestern Ontario had the highest unemployment rate (5.7%) followed by Northern Ontario (5.5%), the Greater Toronto Area (5.5%), Central Ontario (5.3%) and Eastern Ontario (4.3%). The overall unemployment rate for Ontario was 5.3%.
In the first quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate decreased in every region. Southwestern Ontario had the highest unemployment rate (5.7%), while Eastern Ontario had the lowest unemployment rate (4.3%).
Participation rates by Ontario region, Q1 2023footnote 9
The horizontal bar chart shows participation rates by Ontario region in the first quarter of 2023 with percentage point changes from the first quarter of 2022 in brackets. The Greater Toronto Area had the highest participation rate at 66.4%, followed by Central Ontario (64.5%), Eastern Ontario (64.3%), Southwestern Ontario (63.0%) and Northern Ontario (59.3%). The overall participation rate for Ontario was 64.9%.
In the first quarter of 2023, the labour force participation rate varied among economic regions, ranging from 59.3% in Northern Ontario to 66.4% in the GTA.
Age and gender quarterly details
Employment change by age group and gender, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) change in Ontario’s employment for the three major age groups, as well as by gender, compared to the overall population. This is measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Employment increased among workers in all age groups and for both males and females, with total employment increasing by 207,900 (+2.7%). Core-aged workers aged 25 to 54 years posted the largest employment increase (+2.6%), followed by youth aged 15 to 24 years (+5.9%), and older workers aged 55 years and over (+1.5%). Female employment increased by 3.2% and male employment increased by 2.3%.
Compared to the same quarter last year, employment increased for all age groups in the first quarter of 2023. Youth aged 15 to 24 years posted the highest rate of employment growth (+5.9%), followed by core-aged workers aged 25 to 54 years (+2.6%) and older workers aged 55 years and over (+1.5%).
Year-over-year, employment increased more for females (+3.2%) than males (+2.3%).
Unemployment rates by age group and gender, Q1 2023
The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates in the first quarter of 2023 for Ontario as a whole, by major age group and by gender with percentage point changes from the first quarter of 2022 in brackets. Ontario’s overall unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2023 was 5.3% (-1.0 percentage point compared to Q1 2022). Youth aged 15 to 24 years had the highest unemployment rate at 10.8% (-2.1 percentage points), followed by the core-aged population aged 25 to 54 years at 4.5% (-0.7 percentage point) and older Ontarians aged 55 years and over at 4.4% (-1.3 percentage points). The female unemployment rate was 5.1% (-1.2 percentage points) and the male unemployment rate was 5.5% (-0.8 percentage point).
In the first quarter of 2023, youth had the highest unemployment rate (10.8%), followed by core-aged people (4.5%) and older people (4.4%). Compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate decreased by 2.1 percentage points for youth, 0.7 percentage point for core-aged people and 1.3 percentage points for older people.
In the first quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate for females (5.1%) was lower than that for males (5.5%). Compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.8 percentage point for males and 1.2 percentage points for females.
Participation rates by age group and gender, Q1 2023
The horizontal bar chart shows labour force participation rates in the first quarter of 2023 for Ontario as a whole, by major age group and by gender with percentage point changes from the first quarter of 2022 in brackets. Ontario’s overall labour force participation rate was 64.9% (unchanged from the first quarter of 2022). The core-aged population aged 25 to 54 years had the highest labour force participation rate at 88.1% (+0.2 percentage point), followed by youth aged 15 to 24 years at 59.7% (+1.1 percentage points), and older Ontarians aged 55 years and over at 37.5% (-0.6 percentage point). The male participation rate (69.1%, -0.2 percentage point) was higher than the female participation rate (60.9%, +0.2 percentage point).
In the first quarter of 2023, core-aged people had the highest labour force participation rate (88.1%), followed by youth (59.7%) and older people (37.5%). Compared to the first quarter of 2022, the participation rate increased by 1.1 percentage points for youth and 0.2 percentage point for the core-aged population and declined by 0.6 percentage point for older people.
Males had a higher participation rate (69.1%) than females (60.9%) in the first quarter of 2023. Compared to the same period last year, the participation rate decreased by 0.2 percentage point for males and increased by 0.2 percentage point for females. The gap in labour force participation rates between males and females narrowed when compared to the first quarter of 2022 from 8.6 percentage points to 8.2 percentage points.
Education level and immigrant status quarterly details
Employment rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population), Q1 2023footnote 10
The horizontal bar chart shows employment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years), in the first quarter of 2023, with percentage point changes from the first quarter of 2022 in brackets. By education level, those with a university degree had the highest employment rate (88.9%, +1.7 percentage points), followed by those with a postsecondary certificate/diploma (86.4%, +0.1 percentage point), those with a high school diploma (74.8%, +0.7 percentage point), and those with less than high school education (60.0%, -1.0 percentage point). By immigrant status, those born in Canada had the highest employment rate (85.4%, +0.2 percentage point), followed by established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (84.1%, +1.5 percentage points), recent immigrants with 5 to 10 years since landing (81.3%, +3.7 percentage points), and very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing (78.7%, unchanged from Q1 2022).
In the first quarter of 2023, core-aged people with less than a high school diploma continued to have the lowest employment rate (60.0%), while those with a university degree recorded the highest employment rate (88.9%), followed by those with a postsecondary certificate or diploma (86.4%).
Year-over-year, the employment rate increased for all education levels, except for those with less than high school education (-1.0 percentage point). Those with university level education recorded the largest employment rate increase (+1.7 percentage points).
Those born in Canada had the highest employment rate (85.4%), while very recent immigrants had the lowest employment rate (78.7%).
Year-over-year, the employment rate increased for nearly all groups by immigrant status, led by recent immigrants (+3.7 percentage points).
Unemployment rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population), Q1 2023footnote 11
The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years), in the first quarter of 2023, with percentage point changes from the first quarter of 2022 in brackets. By education level, those with less than high school education had the highest unemployment rate (8.9%, -2.0 percentage points from Q1 2022), followed by those with high school education (6.6%, -0.9 percentage point), those with a postsecondary certificate or diploma (4.1%, -0.9 percentage point) and university degree holders (3.6%, -0.4 percentage point). By immigrant status, very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing had the highest unemployment rate (7.2%, -1.4 percentage points), followed by recent immigrants with 5 to 10 years since landing (4.8%, -2.7 percentage points), established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (4.4%, -1.2 percentage points), and those born in Canada (4.1%, -0.4 percentage point).
In the first quarter of 2023, the core-aged population with a university degree had the lowest unemployment rate (3.6%) while those with less than a high school diploma had the highest unemployment rate (8.9%). Year-over-year, the unemployment rate of core-aged people decreased for all education levels led by those with less than a high school diploma (-2.0 percentage points).
Year-over-year, the unemployment rate also decreased for all groups by immigrant status. In the first quarter of 2023, those born in Canada had the lowest unemployment rate (4.1%), while very recent immigrants had the highest unemployment rate (7.2%).
Participation rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population), Q1 2023footnote 12
The horizontal bar chart shows labour force participation rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years), in the first quarter of 2023, with percentage point changes from the first quarter of 2022 in brackets. By education level, university degree holders had the highest participation rate (92.2%, +1.3 percentage points from Q1 2022), followed by postsecondary certificate or diploma holders (90.1%, -0.7 percentage point), high school graduates (80.2%, unchanged from Q1 2022), and those with less than high school education (65.8%, -2.6 percentage points). By immigrant status, those born in Canada had the highest participation rate (89.0%, -0.2 percentage point), followed by established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (88.0%, +0.6 percentage point), very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing (85.4%, +1.5 percentage points), and recent immigrants with 5 to 10 years since landing (84.9%, -1.2 percentage points).
In the first quarter of 2023, among core-aged population, those with a university degree continued to have the highest participation rate (92.2%), while those with less than a high school diploma had the lowest participation rate (65.8%). Year-over-year, the participation rate increased among those with a university degree (+1.3 percentage points) and declined among those with a postsecondary certificate/diploma (-0.7 percentage point) and those with less than high school education (-2.6 percentage points). The participation rate among those with high school level education was unchanged.
In the first quarter of 2023, core-aged very recent immigrants had the lowest participation rate (84.9%) compared to recent immigrants, established immigrants and those born in Canada. Year-over-year, the participation rate decreased for very recent immigrants and those born in Canada, while recent immigrants and established immigrants experienced an increase.
Wages quarterly details
Average hourly wages by employment status, 1997-2022
The line chart shows average hourly wages for all employees, full-time and part-time employees expressed in real 2021 dollars from 1997 to 2022. Real average hourly wages of all employees increased from $26.06 in 1997 to $30.85 in 2022; those of full-time employees increased from $27.97 in 1997 to $32.71 in 2022 and those of part-time employees increased from $17.68 in 1997 to $21.18 in 2022.
Over the last two decades, the average hourly wage increased in real terms
Hourly wage growth by type of work, Q1 2023 over Q1 2022footnote 14
The vertical bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) per cent change in Ontario’s nominal hourly wages by type of work. The average hourly wage increased by 4.8%. Hourly wages increased for full-time workers (+5.0%) and for part-time employees (+2.4%). The average hourly wage increased for permanent employees (+5.0%) and temporary employees (+2.1%). Average hourly wages increased for employees with union coverage (+3.1%) and those without union coverage (+5.5%). Inflation during the same period was 5.0%.
In the first quarter of 2023, the average hourly wage of Ontario employees was $34.05, an increase of 4.8% from the first quarter of 2022.
The average hourly wage for part-time positions increased by 2.4%, while the average hourly wage for full-time workers increased by 5.0%.
Consumer Price Index inflation over the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022 was 5.0%.
Average hourly wage rate and wage growth by occupational group, Q1 2023footnote 17
The horizontal bar chart shows average hourly wage rates in the first quarter of 2023 and year-over-year (between the first quarters of 2022 and 2023) per cent change in average hourly wage rate, by occupational group. In the first quarter of 2023, the average hourly wage rate for Ontario was $34.05 (+4.8%). The highest average hourly wage rate was for management occupations at $58.20 (+4.3%); followed by natural and applied sciences and related occupations at $45.09 (+5.6%); occupations in education, law and social, community and government services at $39.17 (+0.9%), health occupations at $33.59 (+4.3%); business, finance and administration occupations at $33.44 (+5.9%), occupations in trades, transport and equipment operators at $30.37 (+4.5%); occupations in art, culture recreation and sport at $30.21 (-0.2%); occupations in manufacturing and utilities at $27.13 (+7.7%); occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related occupations at $26.20 (-0.7%); and sales and service occupations at $22.12 (+3.3%).
Year-over-year, most broad occupational groups experienced growth in average hourly wages led by occupations in manufacturing and utilities (+7.7%), business, finance and administration occupations (+5.9%) and natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+5.6%). Occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production (-0.7%) and occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (-0.2%) experienced a decrease in average hourly wages.
Appendix I
Overview of annual employment ten-year review
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labour Force (000) | 7,367.4 | 7,384.8 | 7,386.4 | 7,442.7 | 7,576.3 | 7,679.4 | 7,866.6 | 7,788.0 | 8,048.8 | 8,190.4 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 66.5 | 66.0 | 65.5 | 65.2 | 65.3 | 64.9 | 65.3 | 63.7 | 65.2 | 65.4 |
| Male Participation Rate (%) | 71.0 | 70.6 | 70.4 | 69.9 | 70.0 | 69.6 | 70.0 | 68.6 | 69.9 | 69.9 |
| Female Participation Rate (%) | 62.2 | 61.6 | 60.8 | 60.6 | 60.7 | 60.5 | 60.8 | 59.1 | 60.7 | 61.2 |
| Total Employment (000) | 6,806.9 | 6,840.0 | 6,887.0 | 6,956.4 | 7,117.3 | 7,245.9 | 7,429.2 | 7,025.9 | 7,393.3 | 7,731.6 |
| Full-time (000) | 5,463.4 | 5,497.5 | 5,580.0 | 5,630.5 | 5,740.5 | 5,883.4 | 6,042.3 | 5,801.0 | 6,088.9 | 6,372.4 |
| Part-time (000) | 1,343.5 | 1,342.6 | 1,307.0 | 1,325.9 | 1,376.8 | 1,362.5 | 1,386.9 | 1,224.9 | 1,304.4 | 1,359.2 |
| Employment-Population Ratio (%) | 61.4 | 61.1 | 61.1 | 60.9 | 61.3 | 61.3 | 61.6 | 57.5 | 59.9 | 61.8 |
| Male Employment (000) | 3,532.4 | 3,566.0 | 3,603.7 | 3,641.9 | 3,730.4 | 3,808.7 | 3,901.7 | 3,717.3 | 3,891.6 | 4,060.1 |
| Female Employment (000) | 3,274.5 | 3,274.0 | 3,283.3 | 3,314.5 | 3,386.9 | 3,437.2 | 3,527.5 | 3,308.5 | 3,501.7 | 3,671.5 |
| Part-Time (% of total) | 19.7 | 19.6 | 19.0 | 19.1 | 19.3 | 18.8 | 18.7 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Goods-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 1,410.4 | 1,393.8 | 1,406.7 | 1,440.2 | 1,457.5 | 1,476.8 | 1,474.6 | 1,415.5 | 1,466.2 | 1,543.5 |
| Services-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 5,396.5 | 5,446.2 | 5,480.3 | 5,516.2 | 5,659.8 | 5,769.1 | 5,954.6 | 5,610.4 | 5,927.1 | 6,188.1 |
| Private Sector Employment (000) | 4,488.2 | 4,542.1 | 4,545.4 | 4,613.4 | 4,741.5 | 4,809.6 | 4,936.5 | 4,600.1 | 4,876.4 | 5,127.2 |
| Public Sector Employment (000) | 1,278.2 | 1,259.5 | 1,276.2 | 1,280.5 | 1,299.0 | 1,319.2 | 1,343.5 | 1,327.9 | 1,429.1 | 1,515.7 |
| Self-Employment (%of total) | 15.3 | 15.2 | 15.5 | 15.3 | 15.1 | 15.4 | 15.5 | 15.6 | 14.7 | 14.1 |
| Total Unemployment (000) | 560.5 | 544.8 | 499.5 | 486.4 | 459.0 | 433.5 | 437.5 | 762.1 | 655.5 | 458.8 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.6 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 9.8 | 8.1 | 5.6 |
| Male Unemployment Rate (%) | 8.0 | 7.6 | 7.1 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 9.6 | 8.1 | 5.5 |
| Female Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.2 | 7.1 | 6.4 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.4 | 10.0 | 8.2 | 5.7 |
| Long-Term (27 wks+) (% of total) | 23.0 | 22.5 | 19.8 | 19.7 | 19.3 | 16.3 | 15.1 | 15.0 | 28.2 | 18.2 |
| Average Unemployment in Weeks | 21.9 | 21.9 | 20.1 | 19.9 | 19.1 | 17.2 | 16.0 | 15.4 | 23.0 | 19.7 |
| Youth Unemployment Rate (%) | 15.4 | 15.2 | 14.3 | 13.4 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 22.1 | 15.9 | 11.5 |
| 25-54 y.o. Unemployment rate (%) | 6.3 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.2 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 7.9 | 6.7 | 4.6 |
| 55+ y.o. Unemployment rate (%) | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 4.6 |
| Average Weekly Wage Rate ($) | 916.61 | 931.31 | 959.81 | 985.76 | 993.13 | 1,030.52 | 1,058.44 | 1,136.25 | 1,161.63 | 1,216.43 |
| Average Hourly Wage Rate ($) | 25.07 | 25.45 | 26.20 | 26.92 | 27.16 | 28.18 | 28.95 | 30.86 | 31.60 | 32.94 |
Employment by region (000)
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | 3,229.6 | 3,221.8 | 3,281.6 | 3,320.9 | 3,392.6 | 3,471.5 | 3,576.0 | 3,387.5 | 3,568.5 | 3,728.7 |
| Central | 1,552.6 | 1,583.5 | 1,594.9 | 1,598.6 | 1,670.4 | 1,676.2 | 1,708.6 | 1,615.1 | 1,692.6 | 1,779.9 |
| Southwest | 769.8 | 776.2 | 775.6 | 784.6 | 793.8 | 817.0 | 817.4 | 770.6 | 833.1 | 864.5 |
| East | 897.2 | 900.9 | 885.7 | 902.5 | 906.8 | 922.0 | 967.8 | 909.9 | 954.4 | 1,000.2 |
| North | 357.5 | 357.8 | 349.0 | 349.7 | 353.7 | 359.2 | 359.3 | 342.8 | 344.7 | 358.2 |
Unemployment rate by region (%)
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | 8.2 | 8.1 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.9 | 11.0 | 9.2 | 6.3 |
| Central | 6.9 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Southwest | 7.7 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 9.2 | 7.5 | 5.5 |
| East | 6.5 | 7.2 | 6.7 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 7.7 | 6.5 | 4.4 |
| North | 7.5 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 7.9 | 6.8 | 4.6 |
Total employment by CMA (000)
Greater Toronto Area
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 3,075.2 | 3,061.9 | 3,130.4 | 3,155.7 | 3,235.3 | 3,301.4 | 3,412.1 | 3,227.0 | 3,409.2 | 3,569.4 |
| Oshawa | 192.9 | 198.2 | 192.6 | 209.9 | 206.4 | 215.5 | 214.4 | 205.4 | 211.2 | 226.6 |
Central Ontario
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 372.6 | 378.1 | 380.8 | 380.6 | 411.1 | 407.4 | 414.8 | 384.1 | 409.6 | 418.6 |
| Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 287.2 | 290.1 | 290.7 | 293.1 | 304.1 | 312.4 | 324.4 | 305.5 | 323.0 | 333.7 |
| St. Catharines-Niagara | 193.3 | 195.3 | 205.4 | 205.8 | 203.9 | 208.8 | 207.1 | 189.5 | 198.4 | 221.2 |
| Peterborough | 54.6 | 59.3 | 60.2 | 58.5 | 61.7 | 64.9 | 62.5 | 53.7 | 63.5 | 66.1 |
| Brantford | 68.8 | 68.8 | 70.0 | 70.4 | 72.7 | 70.5 | 78.7 | 72.0 | 74.2 | 77.7 |
| Guelph | 79.0 | 80.8 | 89.9 | 91.1 | 91.3 | 89.1 | 91.4 | 85.1 | 92.8 | 96.8 |
| Barrie | 108.2 | 109.7 | 106.3 | 102.7 | 114.5 | 112.4 | 117.6 | 118.7 | 115.5 | 124.3 |
Eastern Ontario
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa-Gatineau (Ontario part) | 527.6 | 532.6 | 530.1 | 545.5 | 551.5 | 564.1 | 589.8 | 557.8 | 590.2 | 610.5 |
| Kingston | 81.0 | 78.8 | 80.1 | 80.6 | 84.8 | 83.2 | 83.9 | 80.1 | 81.3 | 87.9 |
| Belleville | 40.7 | 35.2 | 32.3 | 33.4 | 41.1 | 41.9 | 51.8 | 49.6 | 50.0 | 57.4 |
Southwestern Ontario
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 238.3 | 239.6 | 249.0 | 245.2 | 247.4 | 257.3 | 256.1 | 257.9 | 281.8 | 295.4 |
| Windsor | 155.4 | 155.9 | 157.6 | 164.0 | 163.4 | 166.5 | 171.6 | 152.1 | 168.3 | 174.7 |
Northern Ontario
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Sudbury | 84.3 | 83.5 | 82.9 | 82.7 | 82.3 | 83.3 | 87.3 | 81.0 | 82.1 | 85.4 |
| Thunder Bay | 62.8 | 61.4 | 59.7 | 60.3 | 62.1 | 64.4 | 63.2 | 59.1 | 61.1 | 61.9 |
Overview of quarterly employment year-over-year
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labour Force (000) | 8029.2 | 8252.7 | 8174.2 | 8244.3 | 8123.4 | 8178.7 | 8085.9 | 8218.0 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 65.2 | 66.0 | 66.2 | 65.8 | 65.5 | 65.0 | 64.9 | 64.9 |
| Male Participation Rate (%) | 70.0 | 70.4 | 70.9 | 70.5 | 69.9 | 69.3 | 69.3 | 69.1 |
| Female Participation Rate (%) | 60.5 | 61.9 | 61.6 | 61.2 | 61.3 | 60.8 | 60.7 | 60.9 |
| Total Employment (000) | 7293.0 | 7809.2 | 7503.1 | 7766.7 | 7647.5 | 7777.2 | 7573.4 | 7781.3 |
| - Full-time (000) | 6065.1 | 6442.2 | 6201.3 | 6494.2 | 6198.3 | 6373.1 | 6180.3 | 6394.8 |
| - Part-time (000) | 1227.9 | 1367.1 | 1301.8 | 1272.5 | 1449.2 | 1404 | 1393.1 | 1386.5 |
| Employment-Population Ratio (%) | 59.2 | 62.5 | 60.7 | 62.0 | 61.7 | 61.8 | 60.8 | 61.5 |
| Male Employment (000) | 3852.3 | 4082.1 | 3955.1 | 4111.7 | 4002.8 | 4079.1 | 3967.5 | 4060.4 |
| Female Employment (000) | 3440.7 | 3727.1 | 3548.1 | 3655.1 | 3644.7 | 3698.1 | 3605.9 | 3720.9 |
| Part Time (% of total) | 16.8 | 17.5 | 17.4 | 16.4 | 19.0 | 18.1 | 18.4 | 17.8 |
| Goods-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 1462.2 | 1554.2 | 1491 | 1587.3 | 1484.4 | 1559.4 | 1473.2 | 1528.4 |
| Services-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 5830.8 | 6255.0 | 6012.1 | 6179.4 | 6163.0 | 6217.8 | 6100.2 | 6252.9 |
| Private Sector Employment (000) | 4782.7 | 5184.7 | 4995.6 | 5197.7 | 5063.8 | 5140.3 | 4986.4 | 5174.8 |
| Public Sector Employment | 1404.2 | 1540.2 | 1409.0 | 1475.8 | 1506.5 | 1544.3 | 1502.4 | 1534.1 |
| Self-Employment (% of total) | 15.2 | 13.9 | 14.6 | 14.1 | 14.1 | 14.0 | 14.3 | 13.8 |
| Total Unemployment (000) | 736.2 | 443.4 | 671.1 | 477.6 | 476 | 401.5 | 512.5 | 436.7 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 9.2 | 5.4 | 8.2 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 5.3 |
| Male Unemployment Rate (%) | 9.0 | 5.5 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 4.8 | 6.4 | 5.5 |
| Female Unemployment Rate (%) | 9.3 | 5.2 | 8.4 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 5.1 |
| Long-Term (27 wks+) (% of total) | 28.9 | 19.6 | 25.9 | 15.8 | 29.2 | 18.7 | 18.9 | 16.5 |
| Average Unemployment in Weeks | 22.9 | 20.6 | 23.2 | 17.0 | 24.7 | 20.3 | 21.2 | 18.0 |
| Youth Unemployment Rate (%) | 20.5 | 11.6 | 14 | 11.3 | 9.4 | 10.4 | 12.9 | 10.8 |
| 25-54 y.o Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.1 | 4.4 | 6.9 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 4.5 |
| 55+ y.o Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.8 | 4.0 | 7.8 | 4.7 | 6.4 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 4.4 |
| Average Weekly Wage Rate ($) | 1161.19 | 1204.60 | 1162.62 | 1228.11 | 1163.65 | 1238.54 | 1193.90 | 1254.49 |
| Average Hourly Wage Rate ($) | 31.53 | 32.68 | 31.49 | 33.02 | 31.79 | 33.58 | 32.48 | 34.05 |
Employment by Region (000)
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | 3467.9 | 3769.6 | 3643.9 | 3740.5 | 3754.8 | 3714.8 | 3689.7 | 3760.7 |
| Central | 1696.5 | 1789.1 | 1711.0 | 1802.8 | 1718.3 | 1814.9 | 1712.9 | 1782 |
| Southwestern | 825.7 | 871.8 | 838.4 | 859 | 866.1 | 879.3 | 847.9 | 873.6 |
| Eastern | 960 | 1014.9 | 961.4 | 1008.7 | 958.5 | 1009.8 | 967.5 | 1007.9 |
| Northern | 343 | 363.6 | 348.4 | 355.5 | 349.8 | 358.4 | 355.5 | 357.1 |
Unemployment Rate by Region (%)
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | 10.3 | 6.2 | 9.3 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 7 | 5.5 |
| Central | 8.0 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 5.3 |
| Southwestern | 8.7 | 5.3 | 7.7 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 6.1 | 5.7 |
| Eastern | 8.0 | 4.1 | 6.6 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
| Northern | 7.4 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 4.1 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
Total Employment by CMA (000)
Greater Toronto Area
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 3311.5 | 3599.5 | 3486.4 | 3586.4 | 3587.1 | 3568.2 | 3523.6 | 3613.5 |
| Oshawa | 207.1 | 232.7 | 211.6 | 224.4 | 222.3 | 227.1 | 222.0 | 225.8 |
Central Ontario
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 405.1 | 421.3 | 413.1 | 419.8 | 418.1 | 423.9 | 409.4 | 411.0 |
| Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 320.5 | 329.8 | 324 | 338.3 | 335.3 | 341.1 | 325.5 | 333.0 |
| St. Catharines-Niagara | 189.9 | 229 | 212.3 | 219.1 | 210 | 220.1 | 216.7 | 216.6 |
| Peterborough | 65.7 | 67.3 | 64.9 | 69.1 | 63.9 | 65 | 63.1 | 60.6 |
| Brantford | 74.1 | 76.3 | 75.0 | 80.9 | 74.0 | 80.5 | 73.3 | 78.2 |
| Guelph | 90.8 | 98.5 | 95.4 | 96.7 | 97.4 | 95.9 | 96.2 | 98.0 |
| Barrie | 115.4 | 126.4 | 120.5 | 129.7 | 117.8 | 129.6 | 111.7 | 130.7 |
Eastern Ontario
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa-Gatineau (Ontario part) | 602.9 | 617.2 | 591.5 | 618.3 | 582.8 | 616.3 | 590.2 | 623 |
| Kingston | 79.6 | 87.9 | 81.0 | 90.5 | 81.9 | 91.0 | 82.4 | 91.1 |
| Belleville | 43.8 | 59.7 | 51.1 | 61.0 | 54 | 55 | 53.9 | 63.7 |
Southwestern Ontario
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 281.2 | 298.5 | 283.6 | 295.3 | 290.6 | 293.2 | 294.8 | 294.0 |
| Windsor | 164.4 | 174.5 | 167.7 | 164.4 | 185.1 | 184.9 | 175.2 | 189.8 |
Northern Ontario
| 2021Q2 | 2022Q2 | 2021Q3 | 2022Q3 | 2021Q4 | 2022Q4 | 2022Q1 | 2023Q1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Sudbury | 82.1 | 86.7 | 82.1 | 83.8 | 85.1 | 86.2 | 85.2 | 87.8 |
| Thunder Bay | 61.2 | 62.3 | 62.6 | 61.5 | 62.9 | 60.7 | 63.2 | 64.3 |
Overview of monthly* labour force characteristics
| Jan-22 | Feb-22 | Mar-22 | Apr-22 | May-22 | Jun-22 | July-22 | Aug-22 | Sept-22 | Oct-22 | Nov-22 | Dec-22 | Jan-23 | Feb-23 | Mar-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | 7538.5 | 7721.3 | 7750 | 7780.9 | 7764.1 | 7738.3 | 7766.9 | 7734.3 | 7714.9 | 7745.3 | 7750.5 | 7786.9 | 7849.7 | 7865.3 | 7886.7 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.5 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Participation rate | 65.5 | 65.7 | 65.6 | 65.9 | 65.7 | 65.2 | 65.4 | 65.4 | 65.1 | 65.3 | 65.3 | 65.3 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 |
*Seasonally adjusted
Note: All estimates in this appendix are based on Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey.
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Estimates of employment changes and rate calculations are based on unrounded quarterly estimates and may differ slightly from estimates based on published quarterly data due to rounding.
- footnote[2] Back to paragraph The public sector includes employees in federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Aboriginal public administrations, as well as in Crown corporations, liquor control boards and other government institutions such as schools (including universities), hospitals and public libraries.
- footnote[3] Back to paragraph Above-average wage industries are defined as those with earnings above the average hourly earnings of all industries in 2022. Self-employment is excluded.
- footnote[4] Back to paragraph Occupation estimates are based on the 2021 National Occupational Classification. Management occupations are classified under the management occupational category and the remaining categories exclude management occupations.
- footnote[5] Back to paragraph Based on groupings of Statistics Canada’s economic regions.
- footnote[6] Back to paragraph Based on a three-month moving average for March, using unadjusted data.
- footnote[7] Back to paragraph This economic region closely matches the GTA, the main exception being that it excludes the city of Burlington.
- footnote[8] Back to paragraph Based on a three-month moving average for March 2023, using unadjusted data. The seasonally adjusted estimate for Ontario in Q1 2023 is 5.1%.
- footnote[9] Back to paragraph Based on a three-month moving average for March 2023, using unadjusted data.
- footnote[10] Back to paragraph Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for March 2023. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
- footnote[11] Back to paragraph Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for March 2023. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
- footnote[12] Back to paragraph Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for March 2023. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
- footnote[13] Back to paragraph Real wages are based on nominal wages deflated by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items. Self-employment is excluded.
- footnote[14] Back to paragraph Nominal wage growth, not adjusted for inflation. Self-employment is excluded. Inflation is measured as an increase in the all-items Consumer Price Index for Ontario between January and March 2022 and January and March 2023.
- footnote[15] Back to paragraph Year-over-year comparison (between first quarters of 2022 and 2023) is in nominal dollars.
- footnote[16] Back to paragraph Measured as an increase in the all-items Consumer Price Index for Ontario between January and March of 2022 and January and March of 2023.
- footnote[17] Back to paragraph Occupation estimates are based on the 2021 National Occupational Classification. Management occupations are classified under the management occupational category and the remaining categories exclude management occupations. Nominal wage growth, not adjusted for inflation. Self-employment is excluded.