Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 3,700 jobs from last month and increased by 3,100 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 200 jobs from last month and increased by 900 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 1,200 people from the previous month and decreased by 500 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 1.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate increased by 0.8 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 3,400 jobs from the previous month and increased by 4,100 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 3,400 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 4,100 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 15,600 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 11,400 workers.
• Manufacturing: 9,200 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Manufacturing, which together account for 91.9% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 16,400 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 15,200 workers.
• Educational services: 11,900 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 52.3% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,300 workers (decreased by 11.71%).
• Educational services: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 9.16%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 10.68%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,000 workers (decreased by 6.17%).
• Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,000 workers (decreased by 18.87%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 35.71%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Construction: Change of 6,900 workers (increased by 79.31%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 3,800 workers (decreased by 29.23%).
• Agriculture: Change of 3,200 workers (increased by Inf%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,900 workers (increased by 42.03%).
• Public administration: Change of 2,200 workers (decreased by 34.38%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 2,200 workers (decreased by 11.83%).

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, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in February 2026 was 42,410, showing a moderate decrease of 240 from the previous month. From February last year, employment levels grew by 640, demonstrating resilience.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 60.3% in February 2026. This represents a decline of 0.4 percentage points from January (60.7%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 0.3 percentage points from 60.0%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.8% in February 2026, down 0.0 percentage points from January. Compared to February last year (6.3%), the rate has decreased by 0.5 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (0.25) 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 (0.08) 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 -0.17 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

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