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Niagara's Job Market Holds Steady, but with Signs of Labour Market Hesitancy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Niagara's job market continued to hold steady in June, with the unemployment rate dipping slightly as more people found employment, particularly among young job seekers. However, labour market experts have noted signs of hesitancy, with modest gains in employment and subdued hiring outlooks. "Little bits of changes, nothing super dramatic," said Thalia Semplonius, project and research lead with Workforce Collective. "We saw, locally, the unemployment rate decrease between May and June, which is a good thing, alongside an increase in the employment rate, so we know people are successfully finding employment."

Key Takeaways:

  • The unemployment rate in Niagara dropped to 6.4 per cent in June from 7.2 per cent in May, with men's unemployment rate decreasing to 7.1 per cent from 8.6 per cent, and women's unemployment rate ticking down to 5.4 per cent from 5.6 per cent.
  • Youth unemployment (ages 15 to 24) fell to 13.2 per cent, compared to 18 per cent unemployment in May, 20.7 per cent in April, and 23.6 in March, indicating a positive trend for young people.
  • Niagara's June employment rate rose 0.2 per cent to 57.4 per cent month-over-month, while participation decreased by 0.4 per cent to 61.2 per cent, indicating a smaller percentage of people engaged in the local labour market.
  • Youth, for example, are underperforming their past numbers, while the core age group (ages 25 to 54) is doing much better, showing different challenges experienced by different age groups.
  • The national unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.5 per cent in June, with Ontario's rate decreasing to 7.5 per cent, mirroring Niagara's labour market trend shifts.

Statistics:

  • Niagara's unemployment rate decreased from 7.2 per cent in May to 6.4 per cent in June.
  • Men's unemployment rate decreased from 8.6 per cent to 7.1 per cent during the same period.
  • Women's unemployment rate decreased from 5.6 per cent to 5.4 per cent.
  • Youth unemployment fell from 18 per cent in May to 13.2 per cent in June.
  • Youth employment rate increased, with a year-over-year increase of 3.3 per cent.
  • Niagara's June employment rate rose 0.2 per cent to 57.4 per cent month-over-month.
  • Participation decreased by 0.4 per cent to 61.2 per cent.
  • The national unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.5 per cent in June.
  • Ontario's unemployment rate decreased to 7.5 per cent in June.

Sources:

  • Thalia Semplonius, project and research lead with Workforce Collective
  • Workforce Collective's monthly data report
  • Statistics Canada's monthly report on employment and unemployment rates
  • Ontario's labour market data

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