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    Labour market conditions showed new signs of improvement in the last quarter of 2021, before the arrival of the Omicron variant

    Montréal, February 8, 2022. – In the fourth quarter of 2021, employment was up in Québec (+45,100) for the third consecutive quarter. Total employment was comparable to before the pandemic, and the number of full-time jobs increased (+52,600).

    Elsewhere in Canada, the total number of jobs was either equivalent or higher than before the pandemic. 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? – Quatrième trimestre 2021 made public today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    Ratio of the number of people aged 15 and over employed in the fourth quarter of 2021 to the number in the fourth quarter of 2019, all of Canada and provinces

    Ratio of the number of people aged 15 and over employed in the fourth 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.

    The unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 4.9% in Québec (vs 5.3% before the health crisis). This was the lowest rate in Canada.

    Unemployment rate, fourth quarter of 2019 and fourth quarter of 2021, 15 years and over, all of Canada and provinces

    Unemployment rate, fourth quarter of 2019 and fourth quarter of 2021, 15 years and over, all of Canada and provinces

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

    The number of jobs was virtually the same as before the pandemic for both men and women

    Whether in terms of total employment, full-time employment or part-time employment, the situation in Québec in the last quarter of 2021 was comparable to that before the pandemic, for both men and women. This is a first for women, who in every quarter since the pandemic began were less likely to be employed than before the crisis.

    Employment rose by 58,000 among those aged 25-54

    In the fourth quarter of 2021, more 25- to 54-year-olds were employed (+58,000) than before the pandemic, while there was no significant difference in this regard among 15- to 24-year-olds and those 55 and older.

    Among those aged 25 to 54, this was due to an increase in the number of full-time jobs, which was up by 75,100 from the last quarter of 2019. In the two other age groups, the numbers were comparable to those before the pandemic for both full-time and part-time jobs.

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    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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