Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 300 jobs from last month and increased by 8,500 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 900 jobs from last month and increased by 1,500 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 500 people from the previous month and decreased by 3,900 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 3.8 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 3.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 1.6 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 600 jobs from the previous month and increased by 10,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 600 jobs . Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 10,000 jobs .

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Manufacturing : 12,400 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas : 11,300 workers.
• Construction : 8,700 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, which together account for a substantial share of the workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade : 20,000 workers.
• Health care and social assistance : 17,200 workers.
• Professional, scientific and technical services : 7,100 workers.

In the Services sector, Health Care, Retail, and Professional Services lead employment, representing a dominant portion of the workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Educational services : Change of 1,900 workers ( decreased by 21.84 %).
• Utilities : Change of 1,600 workers ( increased by Inf %).
• Agriculture : Change of 1,000 workers ( increased by 25.64 %).
• Business, building and other support services : Change of 700 workers ( decreased by 24.14 %).
• Accommodation and food services : Change of 500 workers ( increased by 8.47 %).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Manufacturing : Change of 5,500 workers ( increased by 79.71 %).
• Other services (except public administration) : Change of 4,900 workers ( decreased by 51.04 %).
• Wholesale and retail trade : Change of 4,500 workers ( increased by 29.03 %).
• Agriculture : Change of 2,300 workers ( increased by 88.46 %).
• Accommodation and food services : Change of 2,300 workers ( increased by 56.1 %).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in May 2025 was 42,610, showing a significant increase of 850. against May, employment levels rose by 520, maintaining momentum.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 61.1% in May 2025. This represents a rise of 1.2 percentage points from April (59.9%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points from 61.4%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.9% in May 2025, down 0.3 percentage points from April. Compared to May last year (5.9%), the rate has decreased by 0.0 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (0.23) between regional and local employment levels indicates relatively independent employment patterns. This suggests that local employment dynamics are largely independent from regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a weak correlation (0.30) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.12 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Red Deer County consists of the following communities: Red Deer County, Elnora, Delburne, Bowden, Innisfail, Penhold, Lacombe County, Birchcliff, Eckville, Half Moon Bay, Bentley, Sunbreaker Cove, Gull Lake, Blackfalds, Clive, Alix, Ponoka County, Ponoka, Parkland Beach, Rimbey .