According to our analysis USDCAD moved 46 pips on Canada Labour Force Survey data on 5 April 2024.

USDCAD (46 pips)

Charts are exported from JForex (Dukascopy).

Canada's Labour Force Survey: An Overview of March 2024

Canada's latest Labour Force Survey for March 2024 presents a mixed bag of results, reflecting the dynamic and fluctuating nature of the country's economy. Released on April 5th, 2024, the survey offers a comprehensive look at employment trends, unemployment rates, industry shifts, and regional differences across Canada. Here, we delve into the key findings and what they signify for Canadians.

Employment Rates: A Steady Scene with Minor Adjustments

The headline figure from the survey is the minimal change in employment for March 2024, with a slight decrease of 2,200 jobs, marking a -0.0% change. This stability follows a modest increase in February (+41,000) and January (+37,000), suggesting a period of relative steadiness in the job market. However, it's notable that the employment rate has seen a slight decline for the sixth consecutive month, falling by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4%.

Unemployment on the Rise

A more concerning trend is the uptick in the unemployment rate, which rose by 0.3 percentage points to 6.1% in March. This increase adds to a year-over-year rise of 1.0 percentage points, indicating a growing number of Canadians are finding themselves out of work. Particularly striking is the unemployment rate among youth aged 15 to 24, which increased by 1.0 percentage points in just a month to 12.6%, and by 3.1 percentage points from March 2023.

Sectoral and Demographic Disparities

The survey highlights significant differences in employment changes across various demographics and industries. Youth employment continued to decline, falling by 28,000 (-1.0%), while core-aged men saw an increase of 20,000 (+0.3%). The decline in youth employment is a concerning trend that has seen virtually no net employment growth for this group since December 2022.

Industries such as accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, and professional, scientific and technical services saw employment decreases, while health care and social assistance led with an increase of 40,000 (+1.5%). These sectoral shifts reflect broader economic changes and areas of growth and contraction within the Canadian economy.

Regional Variations

The survey also sheds light on regional disparities, with employment decreasing in Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, while Ontario experienced an increase. This variation underscores the diverse economic conditions across the country and the impact of regional industries and policies on employment rates.

Looking Ahead

The March 2024 Labour Force Survey paints a picture of a Canadian economy experiencing slow movement in its labor market, with notable disparities across different sectors and regions. The rise in unemployment, particularly among the youth, poses a significant challenge, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and policies to support job creation and skill development in affected sectors and demographics.

As Canada navigates these complex labor market dynamics, the insights from the Labour Force Survey will be crucial for policymakers, businesses, and individuals alike in making informed decisions and adapting to the changing economic landscape.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240405/dq240405a-eng.htm

Start futures forex fx news trading with Haawks G4A low latency machine-readable data today, one of the fastest news data feeds for US macro-economic and commodity data.

Please let us know your feedback. If you are interested in timestamps, please send us an email to sales@haawks.com.