The Status of Women Office supports initiatives that enhance women's representation and economic engagement and participation, improving economic growth in the province.
Saskatchewan women had the fourth-highest average weekly wage of the Canadian provinces (after Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia). The average weekly wage in 2021 for Saskatchewan women was $950.29, an increase of $66.42 from 2019 ($883.47).1
Women's labour force participation has been continuously increasing over time, although it is still lower than men's.
In 2021, women's labour force participation in Saskatchewan (61.8%) was higher than the national average (60.6%).2
One in every eight women employed in Saskatchewan runs her own business, which puts female entrepreneurship in the province above the national average and fourth-highest among the provinces.3
100% of women-led businesses with owners from Saskatchewan having over 500 employees are located in Saskatchewan, as opposed to 57% of men-led businesses.
Between 2019 and 2020, the female share of self-employed people in Saskatchewan grew by 3% to 36%.4
Women are concentrated in occupations related to traditional gender roles, such as: health care and social assistance (81.0%); education services (67.6%); accommodation and food services (59.3%) and finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (58.2%).5
Women are overrepresented in front line, esthetic trades, and service industry sectors, sectors that were the first to close and roles at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Strengthening opportunities for women outside of traditional roles will grow Saskatchewan's economy.