Released on January 4, 2019
Saskatchewan saw strong job gains for the fifth consecutive month in December. Year-over-year employment increased by 10,900 jobs from December 2017. Saskatchewan’s growth rate of 1.9 per cent ranked second among the provinces.The job gains were driven entirely by full-time employment with an increase of 13,300 full-time jobs. Major year-over-year gains came from the province’s agriculture sector. From 2007 to 2018, Saskatchewan had the third highest employment growth rate among the provinces at 12.9 per cent.
“For the fifth month in a row Saskatchewan has seen strong job gains,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our economy continues to see steady growth despite the economic headwinds that we are currently facing. It is encouraging to see significant job growth in full-time employment. We will continue to stand up for our province’s economy and resource sector as we head into 2019.”
The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6 per cent, down from 6.5 per cent a year ago and on par with the national average.
Other December highlights include:
- Major year-over-year gains were reported for agriculture up 5,000 jobs; educational services up 3,900 jobs; health care and social assistance up 3,700 jobs.
- Female employment up 4,200 jobs (+1.6 per cent) and male employment up 6,800 jobs (+2.3 per cent) compared to last December.
For more information, contact:
Deb Young
Immigration and Career Training
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca