Québec, March 1, 2023. – In 2022, the number of jobs in Québec was up by 129,700 (+3.0%) from 2021. The increase was more substantial among women (+67,600; +3.3%) than men (+62,100; +2.8%).
Moreover, there was a gain of about 27,000 jobs among women aged 55 and over. Over the past 10 years, it is among those aged 55 and over that the number of jobs grew the most (+39%), and the increase was more pronounced among women than men (+43% vs. +37%).
These findings come from the publication Bilan du marché du travail au Québec en 2022 released by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Record number of job vacancies
This job growth was accompanied by an increase in job vacancies. In 2022, the number of vacancies rose by 25% to 241,700, a record high since 2015. Health care (+9,300) and accommodation and food services (+9,500) are the two industries where vacancies grew the most between 2021 and 2022.
Number of job vacancies, Québec, 2015 to 2022
Source: Statistics Canada, Job Vacancy and Wage Survey, 2022. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Increase in earnings
Average hourly earnings rose by $1.69 (+5.8%) to $30.96 between 2021 and 2022. By comparison, the consumer price index (CPI) grew by 6.7%. Average hourly earnings increased by 5.9% to $29.29 among women, and by 5.6% to $32.54 among men.
The place of immigrants in Québec’s workforce continues to grow
In 2022, the number of immigrants working in Québec stood at 859,500, its highest level since data on immigration status have been available (2006). The share of immigrants in the workforce in Québec also reached a record level in 2022: nearly 1 in 5 people employed were immigrants.
In addition, the employment rate was higher among immigrants (65.9%) than native-born Quebecers (60.5%), essentially because of a higher employment rate among those aged 55 and over among immigrants. The unemployment rate of immigrants was 5.8%, while that of non-immigrants was 3.8%.
Share of immigrants in total employment, 2012 to 2022
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2022. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Employment in the provinces and in Québec’s regions
The number of jobs increased in almost all the provinces, but the strongest growth in terms of jobs was observed in Ontario (+338,300; +4.6%), Québec (+129,700; +3.0%), Alberta (+116,500; +5.2%), and British Columbia (+84,000; +3.2%).
In Québec’s regions, employment growth was recorded mainly in Montréal (+49,800), Chaudière-Appalaches (+15,200), and Outaouais (+11,500).
Differences between the private and public sectors
Between 2021 and 2022, the number of jobs rose by about 114,000 (+4.1%) in the private sector, and by about 21,000 (+2.1%) in the public sector. Between 2012 and 2022, employment increased more in the public sector than in the private sector (+24% vs. +10%).
Permanent employment up and temporary employment down
In 2022, permanent employment was up by 130,000 from 2021. This increase accounted for almost all of the growth in payroll employment (+136,000). In 2022, there were 3,420,400 permanent jobs and 479,900 temporary jobs in Québec. Over the past 10 years, permanent employment grew by 16%, while temporary employment declined by 6%.
Non-unionized employment up
The number of non-unionized jobs increased by about 120,000 (+5.3%) from 2021. This was a larger increase than for unionized jobs (+15,700; +1.0%), which nevertheless represented a 38.8% share of total employment in 2022.
Webinar
On March 15, at noon, the Institut will present a webinar entitled Bilan du marché du travail au Québec : situation en 2022 et tendances depuis 2012. Register now!
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.