April to June, 2022
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 second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2022. 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 2022 second 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 second quarter of 2022 are April 10 to 16, May 15 to 21 and June 12 to 18.
Impact of COVID‑19 on the labour market
Beginning in mid-March 2020, travel restrictions, business closures and physical distancing measures were put in place by various levels of government to help contain the spread of COVID‑19 and protect the health of Ontarians. These restrictions and public health measures were in place to varying degrees throughout the past couple of years.
Ontario began gradually easing the most recent restrictions starting January 31, 2022. No additional public health measures and restrictions were imposed in the second quarter of 2022.
In the second quarter of 2022, seasonally adjusted employment in Ontario remained relatively unchanged month-over-month, but the unemployment rate declined.
Overview
Ontario’s labour market overview
Employment:
- +495,800 net jobs in Q2 2022, year-over-year
- +370,400 net full-time jobs in Q2 2022, year-over-year
- -24,700 net jobs in June 2022
- +27,900 full-time jobs in June 2022
Unemployment rate:
- 5.4% in the second quarter of 2022
- 5.1% in June 2022
Year-over-year, Ontario’s employment increased by 6.8% (+495,800) in the second quarter of 2022, while Canada’s employment increased by 5.1% (+959,800). Employment in Ontario in the second quarter of 2022 was 5.0% higher than in the same quarter in 2019, prior to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Ontario’s unemployment rate was 5.4% in the second quarter of 2022, slightly higher than the Canadian rate of 5.1%. It was 3.6 percentage points lower than in the second quarter of 2021 and 0.3 percentage point lower than in the second quarter of 2019.
In June 2022, Ontario’s employment slightly decreased by 0.3% (-24,700), driven by a decrease in part-time employment (-52,500) and self-employment (-54,900). Employment has remained relatively unchanged since March 2022 and exceeded its pre-pandemic level by 2.9%. Canada’s employment decreased by 0.2% (-43,200) in June 2022, exceeding its pre-pandemic level by 2.4%.
In June 2022, the unemployment rate in Ontario decreased from 5.5% to 5.1% and the rate in Canada decreased from 5.1% to 4.9%. In June 2022, Ontario’s unemployment rate was below its pre-pandemic rate of February 2020.
Year-over-year overview
Ontario’s labour market, 2008-2022
The combination line and area chart shows Ontario’s unemployment rate (line chart) and employment (area chart) from January 2008 to June 2022. Ontario’s unemployment rate has trended downwards since the 2008/09 recession, reaching 5.3% in January 2020, before rising to 13.5% in May 2020, and falling to 5.1% in June 2022. Employment in Ontario has risen steadily since the 2008/09 recession, reaching just under 7.5 million workers in January 2020, before dropping to below 6.4 million workers in May 2020, then rising to over to 7.7 million workers in June 2022.
Between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022:
- employment gains were concentrated in both full-time employment (+370,400, +6.1%) and part-time employment (+125,400, +10.1%);
- employment increased in the private sector (+8.6%) and public sector (+9.3%), but declined for those who are self-employed (-3.8%);
- employment increased in services-producing industries (+7.2%) and goods-producing industries (+5.2%);
- employment increased in every region with the Greater Toronto Area (+8.4%) experiencing the highest rate of employment growth; and
- employment increased for all age groups with youth experiencing the highest rate of employment growth (+16.7%) compared to other age groups.
Type of Work quarterly details
Employment change by work status
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) change in Ontario’s employment by full-time and part-time status. Total employment increased by 495,800 (+6.8%), with full-time employment increasing by 370,400 (+6.1%), and part-time employment increasing by 125,400 (+10.1%).
Year-over-year, part-time employment increased by 10.1% and full-time employment increased by 6.1% in the second quarter of 2022.
Overall, part-time workers have been disproportionally impacted by the COVID‑19 pandemic as they are more likely to work in industries that experienced the largest declines in employment, including accommodation and food services and retail trade. As of June 2022, full-time employment in Ontario exceeded its pre-pandemic level in February 2020 by 3.7% and part-time employment was below its pre-pandemic level by 0.6%.
Employment change by employment sector
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) change in Ontario’s employment for the private sector, public sector and self-employment. Employment increased in the private sector by 405,400 (+8.6%) and the public sector by 133,500 (+9.3%) and declined for the self-employed by 43,100 (-3.8%).
Year-over-year, employment increased by 8.6% for the private sector and 9.3% for the public sector
Throughout the pandemic, self-employed workers experienced relatively higher employment losses and their employment has been slower to recover. As of June 2022, self-employment (-132,600 or -11.1%) was significantly below its pre-COVID level.
Employment change by above-average wage and below-average wage industries
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) 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 (+341,200, +13.0%) and below-average (+197,800 or +5.6%) industries. Paid employment in all industries (excluding self-employment) increased by 538,900 (+8.8%). Above-average wage industries are defined as those with wage rates above the average hourly wages of all industries in 2021.
Year-over-year, paid employment increased by 13.0% in above-average wage industries and by 5.6% in below-average wage industries.
Sector and occupation quarterly details
Employment change by industry, goods-producing industries
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) change in Ontario’s employment by industry for goods-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Employment increased in four of five goods-producing industries: construction (+55,800 or +10.5%), utilities (+12,000 or +23.8%), forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+7,000 or +21.5%) and manufacturing (+5,800 or +0.7%). Agriculture was the only goods-producing industries that experienced an employment decline (-5,600 or -7.7%). The overall employment in goods-producing industries increased by 75,700 (+5.2%).
Employment in goods-producing industries increased in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. The overall gain was driven by increases in construction (+10.5%) and utilities (+23.8%), which experienced the largest rate of employment growth. Employment in forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+21.5%) and manufacturing (+0.7%) also increased, while employment in agriculture (-7.7%) declined.
Employment change by industry, services-producing industries
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) change in Ontario’s employment by industry for services-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Employment increased in ten of the eleven services-producing industries. Wholesale and retail trade (+99,100, +9.6%) experienced the largest increase in employment, followed by professional, scientific and technical services (+77,400, +10.6%), accommodation and food services (+74,400, +22.5%), information, culture and recreation (+58,400, +20.5%), educational services (+51,200, +9.6%), finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+32,900, +5.3%), public administration (+25,700, +6.3%), transportation and warehousing (+12,500, +3.3%), healthcare and social assistance (+11,100, +1.2%) and business, building and other support services (+19,400, +3.2%). Other services (except public administration) was the only services-producing industry to experience an employment decline (-31,800, -11.1%). The overall employment in services-producing industries increased by 420,200 (+7.2%).
In the second quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, employment increased in all services-producing industries, except for other services (excluding public administration) (-11.1%). Among services-producing industries, wholesale and retail trade (+9.6%) experienced the largest employment gains followed by professional, scientific and technical services (+10.6%), and accommodation and food services (+22.5%), which also experienced the highest rate of employment growth.
Employment change by occupational group
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) change in Ontario’s employment by broad occupational group measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Sales and service occupations (+113,000, +7.3%) experienced the largest employment increase, followed by management occupations (+98,700, +14.8%), natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+96,100, +13.2%), business, finance and administration occupations (+52,300, +4.0%), occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (+47,000, +5.5%), trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (+37,000, +3.9%), health occupations (+32,200, +5.8%), manufacturing and utilities occupations (+18,100, +5.1%) and occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (+2,200, +1.1%). Employment declined in natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (-700, -0.7%).
Year-over-year, employment increased in every broad occupational group, except in natural resources, agriculture and related occupations (-0.7%). Sales and service occupations (+7.3%) experienced the largest increase in employment followed by management (+14.8%), natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+13.2%) and business, finance and administration occupations (+4.0%). Management occupations (+14.8%) experienced the highest rate of employment growth in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021.
Geographic region
Ontario regions
The map shows Ontario’s five regions: Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. This map is based on groupings of Statistics Canada’s economic regions.
Employment change by Ontario region
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) 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) (+289,100, +8.4%), Central Ontario (+93,000, +5.5%), Eastern Ontario (+51,300, +5.4%), Southwestern Ontario (+42,800, +5.2%), and Northern Ontario (+19,700, +5.8%). The overall employment in Ontario increased by 495,800 (+6.8%).
Year-over-year, employment increased in all Ontario regions in the second quarter of 2022. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Unemployment rates by Ontario region
The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by Ontario region in the second quarter of 2022. The Greater Toronto Area had the highest unemployment rate (6.3%) followed by Southwestern Ontario (5.1%), Central Ontario (4.6%) and Northern Ontario (+4.3%) and Eastern Ontario (4.3%). The overall unemployment rate for Ontario was 5.4%. Estimates are based on a three-month moving average for June 2022, using unadjusted data. The seasonally adjusted estimate for Ontario in 2022Q2 is 5.3%.
In the second quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate decreased in every region. The GTA had the highest unemployment rate (6.3%), while Eastern Ontario and Northern Ontario had the lowest unemployment rate (4.3%).
Participation rates by Ontario region
The horizontal bar chart shows participation rates by Ontario region in the second quarter of 2022. The Greater Toronto Area had the highest participation rate at 67.7%, followed by Eastern Ontario (65.0%), Central Ontario (64.8%), Southwestern Ontario (63.1%) and Northern Ontario (59.5%). The overall participation rate for Ontario was 65.7%.
In the second quarter of 2022, the labour force participation rate varied among economic regions, ranging from 59.5% in Northern Ontario to 67.7% in the GTA.
Age and gender quarterly details
Employment change by age group and gender
The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) 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 495,800 (+6.8%). Core-aged workers aged 25 to 54 posted the largest employment increase (+301,800, +6.4%), followed by youth aged 15 to 24 years (+150,800, +16.7%) and older workers aged 55 years and over (+43,100, +2.6%). Female employment increased by 268,300 (+7.8%) and male employment increased by 227,500 (+5.9%).
Compared to the same quarter last year, employment increased for all age groups in the second quarter of 2022. Youth aged 15 to 24 posted the highest rate of employment growth (+16.7%), followed by core-aged workers aged 25 to 54 (+6.4%) and older workers aged 55 years and over (+2.6%).
Year-over-year, employment increased more for females (+7.8%) than males (+5.9%).
Overall, employment losses during the COVID‑19 pandemic have been more severe for youth and women as they were more likely to work in industries that were heavily impacted by the pandemic, such as accommodation and food services and retail trade.
As of June 2022, employment for core-aged people surpassed its pre-pandemic level in February 2020 (+4.9%), while employment for youth remained virtually unchanged and employment for older workers was slightly below its pre-pandemic level (-0.9%).
As of June 2022, employment for males (+2.7%) and females (+3.2%) exceeded their pre-pandemic levels in February 2020.
Unemployment rates by age group and gender
The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates in the second quarter of 2022 for Ontario as a whole, by major age group and by gender. Ontario’s overall unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2022 was 5.4%. Youth aged 15 to 24 years had the highest unemployment rate at 11.6%, followed by the core-aged population aged 25 to 54 years at 4.4% and older Ontarians aged 55 years and over at 4.2%. The female unemployment rate was 5.3% and the male unemployment rate was 5.5%.
In the second quarter of 2022, youth had the highest unemployment rate (11.6%), followed by core-aged people (4.4%) and older people (4.2%). Compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate decreased by 8.8 percentage points for youth, 2.5 percentage points for core-aged people and 3.5 percentage points for older people.
In the second quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate for males (5.5%) was slightly higher than that for females (5.3%). Compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate decreased by 3.4 percentage points for males and 3.8 percentage points for females.
Participation rates by age group and gender
The horizontal bar chart shows labour force participation rates in the second quarter of 2022 for Ontario as a whole, by major age group and by gender. Ontario’s overall labour force participation rate was 65.7%. The core-aged population aged 25 to 54 years had the highest labour force participation rate at 88.2%, followed by youth aged 15 to 24 years at 64.4%, and older Ontarians aged 55 years and over at 37.6%. The male participation rate (70.3%) was higher than the female participation rate (61.3%).
In the second quarter of 2022, core-aged people had the highest labour force participation rate (88.2%), followed by youth (64.4%) and older people (37.6%). Compared to the second quarter of 2021, the participation rate increased by 3.3 percentage points for youth and 1.7 percentage points for core-aged people, but decreased by 1.2 percentage points for older people.
Men had a higher participation rate (70.3%) than women (61.3%) in the second quarter of 2022. Compared to the same period last year, the participation rate increased by 0.4 percentage point for males and 1.2 percentage points for females.
Education level and immigrant status quarterly details
Employment rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population)
The horizontal bar chart shows employment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years), in the second quarter of 2022. By education level, those with a university degree had the highest employment rate (88.2%), followed by those with a postsecondary certificate/diploma (87.3%), those with a high school diploma (76.8%), and those with less than high school education (57.9%). By immigrant status, those born in Canada had the highest employment rate (86.3%), followed by established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (82.5%), recent immigrants with more than 5 to 10 years since landing (80.5%), and very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing (78.8%). Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for June 2022. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
In the second quarter of 2022, those with less than a high school diploma continued to have the lowest employment rate (57.9%), while those with a university degree recorded the highest employment rate (88.2%), followed by those with a postsecondary certificate or diploma (87.3%).
Year-over-year, the employment rate increased for all education levels, led by those with a high school diploma (+6.7 percentage points).
Those born in Canada had the highest employment rate (86.3%), while very recent immigrants had the lowest employment rate (78.8%).
Year-over-year, the employment rate increased for all groups by immigrant status, led by very recent immigrants (+5.6 percentage points).
Unemployment rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population)
The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years), in the second quarter of 2022. By education level, those with less than high school education had the highest unemployment rate (9.8%), followed by those with high school education (6.0%), those with a postsecondary certificate or diploma (3.9%) and university degree holders (3.8%). By immigrant status, very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing had the highest unemployment rate (8.7%), followed by recent immigrants with more than 5 to 10 years since landing (5.5%), established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (4.7%), and those born in Canada (3.6%). Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for June 2022. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
In the second quarter of 2022, those with a university degree had the lowest unemployment rate (3.8%) while those with less than a high school diploma had the highest unemployment rate (9.8%). Year-over-year, the unemployment rate of core-aged people decreased for all education levels led by those with a high school diploma (-3.6 percentage points).
Year-over-year, the unemployment rate also decreased for all groups by immigrant status. In the second quarter of 2022, those born in Canada had the lowest unemployment rate (3.6%), while very recent immigrants had the highest unemployment rate (8.7%).
Participation rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population)
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 second quarter of 2022. By education level, university degree holders had the highest participation rate (91.7%), followed by postsecondary certificate or diploma holders (90.8%), high school graduates (81.7%), and those with less than high school education (64.2%). By immigrant status, those born in Canada had the highest participation rate (89.6%), followed by established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (86.6%), very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing (86.3%), and recent immigrants with more than 5 to 10 years since landing (85.2%). Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for June 2022. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
In the second quarter of 2022, those with a university degree continued to have the highest participation rate (91.7%), while those with less than a high school diploma had the lowest participation rate (64.2%). Year-over-year, the participation rate increased for all groups except those with university attainment (-0.4 percentage points).
In the second quarter of 2022, recent immigrants had the lowest participation rate compared to very recent immigrants, established immigrants and those born in Canada. Year-over-year, the participation rate increased for all groups by immigrant status.
Wages quarterly details
Average hourly wages by employment status, 1997-2021
The line chart shows average hourly wages for all employees, full-time and part-time employees expressed in real 2021 dollars from 1997 to 2021. Real average hourly wages of all employees increased from $26.06 in 1997 to $30.82 in 2021; those of full-time employees increased from $27.97 in 1997 to $32.78 in 2021 and those of part-time employees increased from $17.68 in 1997 to $20.71 in 2021.
Over the last two decades, the average hourly wage increased in real terms
Hourly wage growth by type of work
The vertical bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) per cent change in Ontario’s nominal hourly wages by type of work. The average hourly wage increased by 3.6%. Hourly wages increased for full-time workers (+3.8%) and for part-time employees (+3.5%). The average hourly wage increased for permanent employees (+3.9%) and temporary employees (+1.5%). Average hourly wages increased for employees with union coverage (+1.9%) and those without union coverage (+4.5%). Inflation during the same period was 7.5%.
In the second quarter of 2022, the average hourly wage of Ontario employees was $31.94, an increase of 3.6% from the second quarter of 2021.
The average hourly wage for part-time positions increased by 3.5%, while the average hourly wage for full-time workers increased by 3.8%.
Consumer Price Index inflation over the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 was 7.5%.
Average hourly wage rate and wage growth by occupational group
The horizontal bar chart shows average hourly wage rates in the second quarter of 2022 and year-over-year (between the second quarters of 2021 and 2022) per cent change in average hourly wage rate, by occupational group. In the second quarter of 2022, the average hourly wage rate for Ontario was $31.94 (+3.6%). The highest average hourly wage rate was for management occupations at $52.35 (+2.7%); followed by natural and applied sciences and related occupations at $42.61 (+5.8%); occupations in education, law and social, community and government services at $37.80 (+2.7%), health occupations at $33.00 (+4.8%); business, finance and administration occupations at $31.76 (+2.9%), occupations in trades, transport and equipment operators at $29.15 (+2.5%); occupations in art, culture recreation and sport at $26.81 (-11.0%); occupations in manufacturing and utilities at $25.17 (+6.9%); occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related occupation at $23.91 (+5.0%); and sales and service occupations at $20.09 (-0.8%).
Year-over-year, eight broad occupational groups experienced growth in average hourly wages led by occupations in manufacturing and utilities (+6.9%), natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+5.8%) and natural resources, agriculture and related occupations (+5.0%). Two broad occupational groups experienced a decrease in average hourly wages - occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (-11.0%) and sales and service occupations (-0.8%).
Appendix I
Net employment between February 2020 and June 2022
Below are highlights (seasonally adjusted) of recent trends in Ontario’s labour market between February 2020 and June 2022.
The horizontal bar chart shows seasonally adjusted changes in employment and unemployment rate between February 2020 and June 2022. Employment increased (+219,800 or +2.9%), driven by an increase in full-time employment (+228,600 or +3.7%), while part-time employment declined (-8,800 or -0.6%). Private sector employment (+201,100, +4.1%) and public-sector employment (+151,300, +10.6%) increased, while self-employment declined (-132,600, -11.1%). Services-producing industries employment (+180,600, +3.0%), as well as goods-producing industries employment (+39,200, +2.6%) increased. Unemployment rate decreased by 0.4 percentage point. Figures are seasonally adjusted.
Appendix II
Overview of annual employment ten-year review
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labour Force (000) | 7,238.7 | 7,325.1 | 7,345.3 | 7,343.0 | 7,408.9 | 7,506.5 | 7,608.9 | 7,816.3 | 7,766.0 | 8,006.8 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 66.0 | 66.1 | 65.7 | 65.1 | 64.9 | 64.7 | 64.3 | 64.9 | 63.6 | 64.9 |
| Male Participation Rate (%) | 70.7 | 70.5 | 70.2 | 70.0 | 69.6 | 69.3 | 68.8 | 69.5 | 68.4 | 69.7 |
| Female Participation Rate (%) | 61.5 | 61.9 | 61.3 | 60.5 | 60.4 | 60.2 | 60.1 | 60.4 | 58.9 | 60.2 |
| Total Employment (000) | 6,666.7 | 6,768.1 | 6,809.1 | 6,845.4 | 6,921.4 | 7,052.5 | 7,173.3 | 7,376.9 | 7,021.6 | 7,366.4 |
| Full-time (000) | 5,389.0 | 5,449.1 | 5,486.6 | 5,557.4 | 5,610.5 | 5,713.2 | 5,845.7 | 6,000.3 | 5,797.4 | 6,070.8 |
| Part-time (000) | 1,277.7 | 1,318.9 | 1,322.5 | 1,288.0 | 1,310.9 | 1,339.3 | 1,327.6 | 1,376.6 | 1,224.3 | 1,295.6 |
| Employment-Population Ratio (%) | 60.8 | 61.1 | 60.9 | 60.7 | 60.6 | 60.8 | 60.6 | 61.2 | 57.5 | 59.7 |
| Male Employment (000) | 3,470.1 | 3,508.9 | 3,549.1 | 3,583.9 | 3,622.6 | 3,692.1 | 3,760.6 | 3,874.7 | 3,722.1 | 3,885.7 |
| Female Employment (000) | 3,196.6 | 3,259.1 | 3,260.1 | 3,261.4 | 3,298.8 | 3,360.4 | 3,412.7 | 3,502.2 | 3,299.6 | 3,480.8 |
| Part-Time (% of total) | 19.2 | 19.5 | 19.4 | 18.8 | 18.9 | 19.0 | 18.5 | 18.7 | 17.4 | 17.6 |
| Goods-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 1,406.8 | 1,381.0 | 1,366.4 | 1,393.8 | 1,425.1 | 1,439.4 | 1,463.9 | 1,467.3 | 1,410.7 | 1,466.6 |
| Services-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 5,259.9 | 5,387.1 | 5,442.7 | 5,451.6 | 5,496.3 | 5,613.1 | 5,709.5 | 5,909.7 | 5,610.9 | 5,899.9 |
| Private Sector Employment (000) | 4,347.1 | 4,405.3 | 4,473.5 | 4,505.5 | 4,544.1 | 4,640.1 | 4,716.7 | 4,830.6 | 4,542.0 | 4,807.7 |
| Public Sector Employment (000) | 1,289.5 | 1,310.0 | 1,298.1 | 1,281.2 | 1,293.7 | 1,318.8 | 1,359.7 | 1,375.4 | 1,358.8 | 1,456.9 |
| Self-Employment (%of total) | 15.4 | 15.6 | 15.2 | 15.5 | 15.7 | 15.5 | 15.3 | 15.9 | 16.0 | 15.0 |
| Total Unemployment (000) | 572.0 | 557.1 | 536.1 | 497.6 | 487.5 | 454.0 | 435.5 | 439.4 | 744.4 | 640.4 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.9 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.6 | 6.0 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 9.6 | 8.0 |
| Male Unemployment Rate (%) | 8.2 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 9.2 | 8.0 |
| Female Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.5 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.5 | 10.0 | 8.0 |
| Long-Term (27 wks+) (% of total) | 22.8 | 23.1 | 22.9 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 19.5 | 16.9 | 15.0 | 14.7 | 28.3 |
| Average Unemployment in Weeks | 22.3 | 21.9 | 22.5 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 19.3 | 17.2 | 15.8 | 15.3 | 23.2 |
| Youth Unemployment Rate (%) | 16.6 | 15.9 | 15.2 | 14.3 | 13.7 | 12.2 | 11.8 | 12.0 | 22.0 | 15.7 |
| 25-54 y.o. Unemployment rate (%) | 6.5 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.1 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 7.7 | 6.6 |
| 55+ y.o. Unemployment rate (%) | 5.9 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 7.0 | 7.2 |
| Average Weekly Wage Rate ($) | 883.62 | 896.44 | 907.05 | 938.01 | 958.16 | 965.71 | 998.41 | 1,033.38 | 1,113.99 | 1,133.90 |
| Average Hourly Wage Rate ($) | 24.10 | 24.50 | 24.81 | 25.58 | 26.13 | 26.38 | 27.28 | 28.26 | 30.24 | 30.82 |
Employment by region (000)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | 3,099.6 | 3,214.9 | 3,202.7 | 3,264.8 | 3,303.9 | 3,363.5 | 3,432.8 | 3,548.3 | 3,381.8 | 3,551.4 |
| Central | 1,537.2 | 1,542.4 | 1,577.6 | 1,582.3 | 1,589.7 | 1,653.6 | 1,659.8 | 1,696.3 | 1,616.5 | 1,686.2 |
| Southwest | 768.0 | 764.0 | 771.5 | 769.7 | 779.9 | 785.8 | 808.4 | 810.6 | 771.4 | 832.7 |
| East | 904.1 | 890.7 | 899.4 | 881.5 | 898.2 | 898.5 | 915.1 | 964.5 | 908.5 | 952.2 |
| North | 357.8 | 356.1 | 358.0 | 347.1 | 349.7 | 351.0 | 357.3 | 357.2 | 343.3 | 343.9 |
Unemployment rate by region (%)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | 8.8 | 8.2 | 8.0 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 10.7 | 9.0 |
| Central | 7.1 | 6.9 | 6.2 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Southwest | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.0 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 9.0 | 7.3 |
| East | 6.6 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 7.7 | 6.5 |
| North | 7.2 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 7.8 | 6.8 |
Total employment by CMA (000)
Greater Toronto Area
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 2,942.9 | 3,061.1 | 3,043.4 | 3,114.1 | 3,140.1 | 3,206.7 | 3,262.4 | 3,385.7 | 3,221.8 | 3,393.4 |
| Oshawa | 188.3 | 191.5 | 197.3 | 191.4 | 208.3 | 204.6 | 214.6 | 213.0 | 205.5 | 209.6 |
Central Ontario
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 373.7 | 369.9 | 376.9 | 377.4 | 377.3 | 408.3 | 403.0 | 411.2 | 384.9 | 408.2 |
| Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 279.0 | 284.4 | 288.9 | 288.1 | 291.7 | 301.6 | 309.4 | 322.7 | 306.2 | 321.4 |
| St. Catharines-Niagara | 200.0 | 192.2 | 194.3 | 204.4 | 204.9 | 200.8 | 205.7 | 204.3 | 190.6 | 198.7 |
| Peterborough | 58.1 | 54.2 | 59.1 | 59.8 | 58.6 | 61.3 | 64.6 | 62.0 | 53.6 | 63.1 |
| Brantford | 67.1 | 68.3 | 68.1 | 69.0 | 70.0 | 71.9 | 69.6 | 78.1 | 71.9 | 74.1 |
| Guelph | 83.6 | 78.7 | 80.5 | 89.3 | 90.1 | 90.5 | 88.2 | 91.1 | 85.1 | 92.3 |
| Barrie | 101.3 | 107.8 | 109.3 | 105.7 | 101.8 | 113.0 | 112.2 | 116.9 | 117.6 | 114.5 |
Eastern Ontario
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 540.4 | 524.7 | 532.4 | 528.6 | 542.5 | 547.9 | 558.4 | 588.0 | 557.1 | 588.7 |
| Kingston | 79.2 | 80.2 | 78.5 | 79.5 | 80.3 | 84.0 | 82.9 | 83.7 | 80.0 | 81.1 |
| Belleville | 52.9 | 39.5 | 34.4 | 31.9 | 33.7 | 40.0 | 41.3 | 51.7 | 49.3 | 50.0 |
Southwestern Ontario
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 240.0 | 236.2 | 238.0 | 247.5 | 242.8 | 244.3 | 254.0 | 253.8 | 257.2 | 282.7 |
| Windsor | 152.1 | 154.4 | 154.8 | 156.5 | 162.5 | 161.2 | 164.1 | 170.9 | 152.2 | 168.5 |
Northern Ontario
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudbury | 81.7 | 84.0 | 83.4 | 82.1 | 82.8 | 81.7 | 83.0 | 86.9 | 81.1 | 82.0 |
| Thunder Bay | 61.5 | 62.5 | 61.3 | 59.3 | 60.0 | 61.5 | 64.3 | 62.7 | 59.0 | 61.1 |
Overview of quarterly employment year-over-year
| 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labour Force (000) | 7,951.7 | 8,145.4 | 7,913.7 | 8,071.5 | 7,817.6 | 8,023.4 | 7,992.8 | 8,214.4 |
| Participation Rate (%) | 65.0 | 65.9 | 64.5 | 65.1 | 63.6 | 64.4 | 64.9 | 65.7 |
| Male Participation Rate (%) | 70.2 | 70.9 | 69.1 | 69.7 | 68.4 | 69.1 | 69.6 | 70.3 |
| Female Participation Rate (%) | 60.0 | 61.2 | 60.1 | 60.7 | 59.0 | 59.9 | 60.1 | 61.3 |
| Total Employment (000) | 7,070.2 | 7,485.0 | 7,236.4 | 7,601.7 | 7,105.6 | 7,523.9 | 7,273.4 | 7,769.2 |
| - Full-time (000) | 5,860.4 | 6,193.0 | 5,904.2 | 6,175.8 | 5,883.9 | 6,135.8 | 6,030.8 | 6,401.2 |
| - Part-time (000) | 1,209.7 | 1,292.1 | 1,332.2 | 1,426.0 | 1,221.8 | 1,388.1 | 1,242.6 | 1,368.0 |
| Employment-Population Ratio (%) | 57.8 | 60.6 | 59.0 | 61.3 | 57.8 | 60.4 | 59.0 | 62.2 |
| Male Employment (000) | 3,768.7 | 3,958.1 | 3,812.8 | 3,992.1 | 3,742.0 | 3,964.2 | 3,850.5 | 4,077.9 |
| Female Employment (000) | 3,301.4 | 3,526.9 | 3,423.5 | 3,609.7 | 3,363.6 | 3,559.7 | 3,422.9 | 3,691.2 |
| Part Time (% of total) | 17.1 | 17.3 | 18.4 | 18.8 | 17.2 | 18.4 | 17.1 | 17.6 |
| Goods-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 1,451.0 | 1,497.5 | 1,476.9 | 1,482.0 | 1,423.9 | 1,466.2 | 1,462.8 | 1,538.5 |
| Services-Producing Sector Employment (000) | 5,619.1 | 5,987.6 | 5,759.5 | 6,119.8 | 5,681.7 | 6,057.6 | 5,810.5 | 6,230.7 |
| Private Sector Employment (000) | 4,659.8 | 4,939.6 | 4,735.8 | 4,995.4 | 4,596.9 | 4,919.0 | 4,698.9 | 5,104.3 |
| Public Sector Employment | 1,312.7 | 1,434.6 | 1,399.9 | 1,517.3 | 1,434.8 | 1,511.9 | 1,440.9 | 1,574.4 |
| Self-Employment (% of total) | 15.5 | 14.8 | 15.2 | 14.3 | 15.1 | 14.5 | 15.6 | 14.0 |
| Total Unemployment (000) | 881.5 | 660.4 | 677.3 | 469.8 | 712.0 | 499.5 | 719.4 | 445.2 |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 11.1 | 8.1 | 8.6 | 5.8 | 9.1 | 6.2 | 9.0 | 5.4 |
| Male Unemployment Rate (%) | 10.6 | 7.9 | 8.3 | 5.9 | 9.3 | 6.2 | 8.9 | 5.5 |
| Female Unemployment Rate (%) | 11.7 | 8.3 | 8.8 | 5.7 | 8.9 | 6.3 | 9.1 | 5.3 |
| Long-Term (27 wks+) (% of total) | 12.5 | 25.9 | 29.2 | 28.7 | 29.1 | 19.2 | 29.6 | 19.7 |
| Average Unemployment in Weeks | 15.6 | 24.0 | 20.1 | 24.5 | 21.8 | 21.5 | 23.2 | 20.5 |
| Youth Unemployment Rate (%) | 26.1 | 14.1 | 19.3 | 9.4 | 19.1 | 12.9 | 20.4 | 11.6 |
| 25-54 y.o Unemployment Rate (%) | 8.5 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 5.0 | 7.7 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 4.4 |
| 55+ y.o Unemployment Rate (%) | 7.7 | 7.7 | 6.6 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 7.7 | 4.2 |
| Average Weekly Wage Rate ($) | 1,122.04 | 1,128.59 | 1,109.06 | 1,137.66 | 1,135.33 | 1,168.67 | 1,134.02 | 1,178.28 |
| Average Hourly Wage Rate ($) | 30.33 | 30.55 | 30.21 | 31.01 | 30.89 | 31.74 | 30.83 | 31.94 |
Employment by Region (000)
| - | 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton (GTA) | 3,405.9 | 3,633.2 | 3,504.0 | 3,723.7 | 3,390.9 | 3,653.6 | 3,457.8 | 3,746.9 |
| Central | 1,626.2 | 1,706.1 | 1,667.6 | 1,711.7 | 1,637.5 | 1,713.2 | 1,689.4 | 1,782.4 |
| Southwestern | 774.7 | 837.8 | 795.2 | 864.2 | 802.4 | 846.1 | 826.5 | 869.3 |
| Eastern | 913.7 | 960.9 | 924.1 | 952.8 | 937.9 | 956.6 | 957.2 | 1,008.5 |
| Northern | 349.6 | 347.0 | 345.5 | 349.3 | 336.9 | 354.4 | 342.4 | 362.1 |
Unemployment Rate by Region (%)
| - | 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | 13.1 | 9.3 | 10.1 | 6.6 | 10.1 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 6.3 |
| Central | 9.6 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 5.4 | 9.0 | 5.4 | 7.9 | 4.6 |
| Southwestern | 9.1 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 5.2 | 7.8 | 5.9 | 8.6 | 5.1 |
| Eastern | 8.8 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 4.2 | 7.0 | 5.3 | 8.3 | 4.3 |
| Northern | 8.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 5.1 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 7.3 | 4.3 |
Total Employment by CMA (000)
Greater Toronto Area
| - | 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 3,233.7 | 3,476.2 | 3,347.4 | 3,557.3 | 3,236.4 | 3,489.4 | 3,303.6 | 3,577.6 |
| Oshawa | 208.2 | 210.2 | 210.4 | 220.8 | 203.0 | 220.9 | 204.6 | 232.0 |
Central Ontario
| - | 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 379.1 | 412.3 | 397.4 | 416.9 | 400.7 | 409.5 | 402.8 | 417.9 |
| Kitchener | 302.1 | 322.1 | 313.2 | 334.3 | 310.2 | 324.2 | 319.1 | 330.1 |
| St. Catharines-Niagara | 196.8 | 213.2 | 198.6 | 210.2 | 181.6 | 217.9 | 190.0 | 227.6 |
| Peterborough | 53.1 | 64.7 | 55.5 | 63.3 | 58.6 | 64.8 | 65.9 | 67.1 |
| Brantford | 74.1 | 74.9 | 74.7 | 74.0 | 73.9 | 73.5 | 73.6 | 75.5 |
| Guelph | 87.2 | 95.2 | 86.5 | 96.6 | 87.0 | 96.8 | 90.2 | 98.8 |
| Barrie | 121.8 | 120.5 | 112.2 | 117.3 | 107.1 | 111.1 | 113.0 | 123.9 |
Eastern Ontario
| - | 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa (Ontario part) | 563.0 | 591.9 | 561.1 | 579.6 | 581.7 | 585.1 | 601.5 | 616.1 |
| Kingston | 80.8 | 80.7 | 83.4 | 81.5 | 82.8 | 81.6 | 79.2 | 86.3 |
| Belleville | 46.8 | 50.5 | 53.1 | 53.9 | 52.6 | 51.8 | 43.2 | 59.2 |
Southwestern Ontario
| - | 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 261.7 | 284.9 | 264.2 | 291.1 | 273.0 | 292.7 | 281.7 | 298.1 |
| Windsor | 156.6 | 166.0 | 152.8 | 184.3 | 159.4 | 175.1 | 164.5 | 173.8 |
Northern Ontario
| 2020q3 | 2021q3 | 2020q4 | 2021q4 | 2021q1 | 2022q1 | 2021q2 | 2022q2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudbury | 81.6 | 81.9 | 81.9 | 84.9 | 79.0 | 85.4 | 82.1 | 86.5 |
| Thunder Bay | 59.9 | 62.2 | 60.5 | 63.1 | 57.8 | 63.1 | 61.3 | 62.0 |
Overview of monthly* labour force characteristics
| Feb-20 | Mar-20 | Apr-20 | May-20 | Jun-20 | Jul-20 | Aug-20 | Sep-20 | Oct-20 | Nov-20 | Dec-20 | Jan-21 | Feb-21 | Mar-21 | Apr-21 | May-21 | Jun-21 | Jul-21 | Aug-21 | Sep-21 | Oct-21 | Nov-21 | Dec-21 | Jan-22 | Feb-22 | Mar-22 | Apr-22 | May-22 | Jun-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | 7,494.6 | 7,096.1 | 6,405.2 | 6,372.0 | 6,737.0 | 6,884.1 | 6,998.9 | 7,171.9 | 7,199.2 | 7,225.2 | 7,232.9 | 7,085.1 | 7,197.5 | 7,368.3 | 7,214.6 | 7,206.1 | 7,311.2 | 7,367.7 | 7,416.2 | 7,499.7 | 7,529.3 | 7,586.7 | 7,639.2 | 7,493.5 | 7,687.8 | 7,722.9 | 7,737.2 | 7,739.1 | 7,714.4 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5 | 7.5 | 11.1 | 13.2 | 12 | 11.3 | 10.6 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9.3 | 9.7 | 10.1 | 9.2 | 7.5 | 8.9 | 9 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.5 | 7.2 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 7.3 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Participation rate | 65.2 | 62.9 | 59.1 | 60.2 | 62.7 | 63.5 | 64 | 64.9 | 65.1 | 65 | 65.3 | 64.1 | 64.5 | 64.8 | 64.3 | 64.3 | 64.6 | 64.9 | 65.1 | 65.6 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65 | 65.4 | 65.4 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65 |
*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 This economic region closely matches the GTA, the main exception being that it excludes the city of Burlington.
- footnote[4] 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[5] Back to paragraph Year-over-year comparison (between second quarters of 2021 and 2022) is in nominal dollars.
- footnote[6] Back to paragraph Measured as an increase in the all-items Consumer Price Index for Ontario between April and June of 2021 and April and June of 2022.