Released on April 6, 2018
There were 4,200 new jobs created in Saskatchewan in March when compared to February (seasonally adjusted), a 0.7 per cent increase and highest percentage increase among the provinces. The national percentage increase month-to-month was 0.2 per cent.
There were 562,700 people employed in March, 1,500 more than in March 2017. Female employment hit a record high for the month of March at 264,400.
The unemployment rate in March for the province was 5.8 per cent (seasonally adjusted), down from 6.1 per cent a year ago. Saskatchewan had the fourth lowest unemployment rate among provinces in March. Nationally, the unemployment rate was also 5.8 per cent.
“The increase in job numbers is really good news for the Saskatchewan economy,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Recent indicators showing that Saskatchewan leads the nation in growth in manufacturing sales in January, and urban housing starts over the first two months of the year, in addition to month-to-month job growth in March, confirms our economy is positioned for growth in 2018.”
Other March highlights include:
- Major year-over-year gains were reported for health care and social assistance up 2,800; transportation and warehousing up 2,000; other services up 1,700;
- Youth unemployment rate was the third lowest among provinces at 11 per cent (seasonally adjusted).
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For more information, contact:
Deb Young
Trade and Export Development
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca