Québec, February 20, 2024 – In 2023, the average number of jobs in Québec rose by 103,300 (2.3%) over 2022. Employment continued to grow for the third year running, although this trend slowed somewhat during the year, especially in the last two quarters.
Growth was stronger among women (+55,200; +2.6%) than men (+48,100; +2.1%). Employment also rose (+40,000) among people aged 55 and over. In 2023, this group passed the million-job mark and now accounts for some 22% of all jobs in Québec.
These are the highlights of the Bilan du marché du travail au Québec en 2023, released by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Year-to-year change in Québec employment, 2013–2023
Source
Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2023. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Record participation, employment and unemployment rates
The 2023 participation rate was 68.5% for men. For women, participation was at 61.5%, the highest rate since 1976. Employment stood at 62.1%, its highest level ever. It was 86.9% for the 25–54 age bracket and 51.9% for the 55–69 age bracket. Finally, the unemployment rate (4.5%) reached its lowest level since 1976 among 15–24 year-olds (7.5%) and the 55+ group (4.4%).
Job vacancies down
The first three quarters averaged some 191,400 job vacancies, down by around 50,000 or just over 20% compared to the same period in 2022. The decline occurred mainly in the information and cultural industries (−39%); professional, scientific and technical services (−35%); accommodation and food services (−33%) and manufacturing (−33%).
Immigrants in employment
The number of landed immigrants working in Québec was 852,000, a slight decline (−7,500; −0.9%) compared to 2022. If we exclude pandemic-impacted 2020, this near 1% drop is the first decline in employment among immigrants since the data became available in 2006. Among the population born in Canada, employment grew by about 78,000 (+2.3%).
Wage increases in line with inflation
Hourly earnings averaged $32.39, up 4.6% over the previous year. Earnings growth was 5.8% in 2022 and 2.5% in 2021. Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.5%, following increases of 6.7% in 2022 and 3.8% in 2021.
Analysis by sex shows that average hourly earnings, at $33.84 for men and $30.86 for women, were up by 4.0% and 5.4% respectively. In terms of average hourly earnings, female workers earned 91.2% of what male workers earned.
Change in average hourly wage and Consumer Price Index (CPI), Québec, 2013 to 2023
Source
Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2023. Adapted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Results by region and province
Employment growth was observed in the Capitale-Nationale (+15,400), Laval (+11,300) and Laurentides (+28,200) regions. Job numbers returned to pre-pandemic (2019) levels in most regions except Estrie, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Côte-Nord/Nord-du-Québec.
In Canada, employment grew by about 477,900 jobs (+2.4%) over 2022 to reach 20,170,900. Job growth was recorded in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The largest increases were in Ontario (+183,200), Québec (+103,300) and Alberta (+85,000).
Unemployment was highest in Newfoundland and Labrador (10.0%) and lowest in Québec (4.5%).
Read the highlights (in French only)
Read the full report (PDF) (in French only)
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.