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| The Economy 2004- Newfoundland and Labrador |
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Labour Markets |
| Performance in 2003 |
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| Labour market conditions have improved in recent years, recovering losses incurred during the early 1990s. Since 1996, employment and the size of the labour force have steadily increased. By 2001, employment had recovered to above its previous record high of 207,400 in 1990. In 2003, employment and the labour force grew by 1.8% and 1.6%, respectively. Employment reached 217,800 person years, 10,400 higher than 1990 and 30,800 higher than 1996. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Employment Growth Since 1996 |
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Employment has grown 16.5%, or 2.2% annually, since 1996, with all regions of the province experiencing positive employment growth. The Avalon Peninsula accounted for 50% (15,400) of total growth with the St. John's CMA accounting for 39% (11,900). Positive growth was also experienced in the West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador Region (8,400), the Notre Dame-Central Bonavista Bay Region (4,800), and the South Coast-Burin Peninsula Region (2,100). While all areas experienced growth, employment in the South Coast-Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central Bonavista regions has not recovered to 1990 levels. Both urban1 and rural areas of the province have experienced employment growth, however, employment in urban areas has grown more (20%) than rural areas (13%). As a result, some rural areas have not seen employment levels restored to their previous peak in 1990. Despite accounting for only 36% of those employed in 2003, older workers have experienced the largest share (87%) of employment gains since 1996, a fact which partly reflects an aging population. Employment in the age group 45 years and over increased by 50%, whereas, those aged 15 to 44 years experienced just 3% growth since 1996. The majority of employment gains since 1996 have accrued to those who have completed post secondary education (88%). The proportion of those employed with a post secondary degree or diploma now comprises 59% of total employment compared to 52% in 1996. Those employed with a high school diploma and/or some post secondary also experienced positive growth, increasing 9%, and those without a high school diploma experienced a decline of 13% since 1996. The duration of employment has also been increasing significantly over the last several years. Since 1996, all employment growth has consisted of full-year employment, which has grown 26%. Full-year employment now represents 76% of total employment in the province, compared to 70% in 1996. Part-year employment has been on the decline, decreasing 6% since 1996. This group now represents 24% of those employed. |
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Nearly all employment growth has been in higher paying jobs. Employment in jobs paying $20 per hour or more has increased 88% since 1997. The proportion of those employed in this wage category now stands at 27%, up from 17% in 1997. Employment in jobs paying less than $20 remained virtually unchanged, increasing by just 2% since 1997. A higher proportion of employment growth since 1996 has been attributable to women. Since 1996, female employment has increased by 20% compared to 13% for males. This result is consistent with increased female participation in labour markets over the last number of years. Almost all (94%) of the employment growth since 1996 has been in full-time employment. Full-time employment increased 19% since 1996 while part-time employment has grown by 6%. Full-time employment now represents 85% of total employment compared to 83% in 1996. |
Average Hours Worked Per Week |
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People in this province work, on average, more hours per week
than their Canadian counterparts. In 2003, workers in
Newfoundland and Labrador worked an average of 38.2 hours per
week, compared to the Canadian average of 36.3. Workers in the
goods sector (46.5 hours per week) tend to work longer hours than
workers in the services sector (36.0 hours per week). This is due
primarily to the highly seasonal nature of employment in the
goods sector; individuals work for fewer weeks during the year
but for more hours during the week. |
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| 1. Urban areas are defined as Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations (CMA/CA). Rural areas are defined as non-Census Metropolitan Areas and non-Census Metropolitan Areas and non-Census Agglomerations (non-CMA/CA) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Photo Credit: Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture Voisey's Bay Nickel Company © Digital Vision |
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| This information was current as of March 16, 2004. | |
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