Montréal, August 19, 2021. – In the second quarter of 2021, there were 60,300 more jobs in Québec than in the first quarter of the year, but 72,700 fewer jobs than in the last quarter of 2019, i.e. before the pandemic. The number of jobs stood at 98.3% of the level observed before the health crisis. This compares to 97.9% for Canada as a whole.
In the second quarter of 2021, the unemployment rate was 6.5% in Québec, compared to 5.3% in the last quarter of 2019. The number of full-time jobs was the same as before the pandemic, which means that 72,700 part-time jobs remained to be recovered.
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.
Ratio of the number of people aged 15 and over employed in the second quarter of 2021 to the number in the fourth quarter of 2019, all of Canada and provinces
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2021. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Women’s employment still more impacted by the pandemic than men’s
Since the start of the pandemic, the impact has been greater on women’s than men’s labour force participation.
The proportion of jobs recovered among women in the second quarter of 2021 was 96.6%, meaning that there were 69,700 fewer female workers than in the fourth quarter of 2019. The number of full-time jobs held by women was comparable to that before the pandemic. However, there was still some catching up to do regarding part-time jobs, as the recovery rate was 87.0%. Québec had the highest proportion of full-time jobs recovered among women in Canada, but the lowest for part-time jobs.
Among men, the employment level in the second quarter of 2021 was overall comparable to the pre-pandemic level. This was also the case for full-time and part-time employment taken separately. In the case of total and full-time employment, again for men, these were the highest proportions in the country.
The situation of young people on the labour market has improved
The number of jobs among 15-24-year-olds in the second quarter of 2021 was at 93.7% of its pre-pandemic level, which means that there were 37,700 fewer jobs in this age group. This was an improvement from the first quarter of the year, when the ratio was 86.9% (-78,100 jobs). This group was still the most affected by the pandemic in terms of employment: in comparison, the proportion of jobs recovered was 98.9% for those aged 25-54 and 99.6% for those aged 55 and over.
See also (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.