Released on May 5, 2017
April job numbers show there were 560,100 people working in Saskatchewan, unchanged from a year ago.Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate in April was 6.2 per cent (seasonally adjusted), below the national average of 6.5 per cent.
The unemployment rate for Saskatchewan youth was 10.4 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in April 2017, second lowest among the provinces. Nationally, youth unemployment was 11.7 per cent.
“We are still feeling the impact of low resource prices, but job numbers are steady with last year’s which is good news,” Economy Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Steady job numbers along with recent positive economic indicators including wholesale trade, retail sales and manufacturing sales are on the up-swing which is definitely encouraging.”
Other April 2017 highlights include:
- Major year-over-year gains were reported for trade up 5,900; professional, scientific and technical services up 5,000; and manufacturing up 3,100.
- Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up 4,000 (+9.2 per cent) for 10 consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
- Aboriginal youth employment was up 200 (+2.5 per cent) for 12 consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
For more information, contact:
Deb Young
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca