Montréal, February 9, 2021. – In the fourth quarter of 2020, there were 109,900 fewer people employed in Québec than in the last quarter of 2019, but 50,900 more than in the third quarter of 2020. Employment in Québec in the fourth quarter of 2020 was at 97.5% of the level observed in the last quarter of 2019, i.e. before the pandemic. This compares to 97.1% for Canada as a whole.
Full-time employment in Québec was at 98.5% of the level recorded in the last quarter of 2019, while part-employment was at 93.1% of its level in the last quarter of 2019.
Ratio of the number of people employed in the fourth quarter of 2020 to that in the fourth quarter of 2019, population aged 15 and over, all of Canada and provinces
Source : Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2020. Adapté par l’Institut de la statistique du Québec.
The unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2020 stood at 7.2% in Québec, compared to 5.3% in the last quarter of 2019. This was the lowest rate among the provinces compared (8.8% for Canada as a whole).
The gender gap has narrowed
The employment recovery remained slower among women than men in the fourth quarter of 2020, but the gender gap narrowed from what was observed in the third quarter. The number of employed men in the fourth quarter of 2020 was at 98.1% of the level recorded in the last quarter of 2019 (43,000 fewer workers), while the number of employed women stood at 96.8% of the pre-pandemic level (66,900 fewer workers).
Youth employment still the most impacted, as in the other provinces
In the fourth quarter of 2020, youth employment in Québec was more impacted than employment in other age groups, a finding similar to that in other provinces. The number of young people (15-24 years) employed in Québec was at 90.0% of the level registered in the last quarter of 2019, which means that there were 59,800 fewer youth employed. This percentage ranged from 89.0% to 95.2% in the other provinces.
These are the main findings from an analysis entitled Comment évolue la participation au marché du travail en temps de pandémie au Québec et ailleurs au Canada?, released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
To find out more (documents in French only):
- Highlights
- Analysis for the working-age population as a whole
- Gender-based analysis
- Analysis by age group
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.