Employment Increased 0.3% in March 2012

Employment in Newfoundland and Labrador increased in March 2012. The number of people employed totalled 217,500 – representing an increase of 700 persons or 0.3% relative to March 2011.

The participation rate increased 0.6 percentage points to 59.3%. This led to a 0.8% increase in the labour force. Because the increase in the labour force was greater than the gain in employment, the unemployment rate increased as well. The unemployment rate was 14.4% in March, up 0.4 percentage points from March 2011.

Employment gains were recorded in several industries, including: construction (up 2,700); accommodation and food services (up 1,900); professional, scientific and technical services (up 1,800); and finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (up 1,700). Employment decreased in several industries including: trade (down 3,200); health care and social assistance (down 1,100); transportation and warehousing (down 1,000); and primary fishing (down 1,000).

On a year-to-date basis (January to March), employment averaged 215,600, a 0.5% increase over the same period of 2011.

The Department of Finance's April 2012 forecast projects employment to increase by 1.8% and the unemployment rate to average 12.3% in 2012.

 Glossary terms:
Labour Force | Employed | Unemployed | Unemployment Rate | Participation Rate | Employment Rate

Statistical Reference:   Statistics used in this analysis were current at the time of writing. For the latest in employment statistics visit the Newfoundland & Labrador Statistics Agency  site and the release dates on the Statistics Canada site.