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    Employment down and unemployment rate up in January 2021

    Montréal, February 5, 2021. – Employment was down (-97,900; -2.3%) in Québec in January 2021 from December 2020. The unemployment rate rose 2.0 percentage points in January to 8.8%. These are the main findings from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey released today.

    Employment has increased by 574,700 since May, which represents about 70% of the 825,900 jobs lost between February and April 2020.

    In January, full-time employment was little changed (-5,500), while part-time employment declined (-92,500). Employment decreased primarily in the private sector (-91,400). It was also down among the self-employed (-7,000), but was little changed in the public sector (+500). The participation rate was down 0.1 points to 63.5%. The employment rate declined by 1.4 points to 57.9%. 

    The drop in employment in January in Québec was mainly due to a decline in wholesale and retail trade (-84,600), a sector affected by the extended closure of non-essential businesses until February 8.

    In Canada, in January, employment decreased by 212,800 (-1.2%). The unemployment rate rose 0.6 points to 9.4%. The largest employment losses were recorded in Québec (-97,900) and Ontario (-153,500).

    Between January 2020 and January 2021, employment in Québec declined by 236,400. During this period, full-time employment declined by 92,000, while part-time employment fell by 144,500. Compared with January 2020, the unemployment rate in Québec has increased by 3.7 points to 8.8% (Canada: +3.8 points; 9.4%).

    Changes in employment and trend-cycle data, Québec, January 2020 to January 2021

    Changes in employment and trend-cycle data, Québec, January 2020 to January 2021

    Note: Trend-cycle data are a smoothed version of seasonally adjusted data where the effects of irregular movements have been reduced. They are helpful in analyzing long-term changes in the data. For more information: Statistics Canada, Trend-cycle estimates – Frequently asked questions.
    Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2021. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    Changes in the unemployment rate, Québec, January 2020 to January 2021

    Changes in the unemployment rate, Québec, January 2020 to January 2021

    Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2021. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    A word of caution regarding the effects of COVID-19 on LFS data

    The effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the labour market in January must be interpreted with caution when analyzing Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

    The survey reference period for January extends from January 10 to 16. The correct categorization of individual labour force status according to the usual definitions of employment, unemployment1 and inactivity may have been more difficult in this edition of the survey, as has been the case since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 section of the Institut de la statistique du Québec’s website provides analyses of the pandemic’s impact in Québec. It should also be noted that monthly data are based on a sample and are therefore subject to a certain amount of variability.

    1 The Labour Force Survey defines unemployed persons as those who, during the reference week: 1- were on temporary layoff with an expectation of recall and were available for work; or 2- were without work, had looked for work in the past four weeks, and were available for work; or 3- had a new job to start within four weeks, and were available for work.


    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.

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