Unemployment in Alberta is 6.2% in January 2024

Alberta's unemployment rate remained largely unchanged last month, although Lethbridge saw a significant increase.

Statistics Canada released its labor force survey for January 2024 on Friday, showing Alberta's employment rate at 6.2 per cent, down just one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month.

ATB Financial noted that employment in Alberta grew strongly in January, increasing by 10,100 after a gain of 5,000 in December.

“The services sector was responsible for January's growth, with transport, finance/insurance/real estate and education services increasing significantly, offsetting declines in the goods sector (especially construction),” ATB told The Owl.

“All of the new jobs added were full-time, which offset losses in part-time.”

Lethbridge's unemployment rate rose from 4.6 percent in December 2023 to 5.3 percent in January.

Neither Calgary nor Edmonton saw a change, at 5.8 and 6.7 per cent respectively.

Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by a tenth of a percentage point to 5.7 percent, the first decline since December 2022.

Employment increased in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, but decreased in Saskatchewan.

The manufacturing sector led by wholesale and retail trade, as well as finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, saw job growth across several industries.

Other industries saw declines, including accommodation and food services.

The Labor Force Survey examined the week of January 14-20, 2024.