Saskatchewan added 19,800 jobs in May, an increase of 3.5 per cent, compared to May 2021 and all of the growth was in full-time jobs, according to the numbers from Statistics Canada.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.8 per cent in May 2022. It was down from 6.1 per cent a year ago, down from 5.5 per cent a month ago, and below the national average of 5.1 per cent, according to authorities.
A number of all-time employment records were hit in May including overall employment (587,000), female employment (272,300), off-reserve Indigenous employment (65,800), and off-reserve Indigenous full-time employment (54,100).
Major year-over-year gains were reported for accommodation and food services up 6,400 jobs, construction up 5,400 jobs, healthcare and social assistance up 4,700 jobs.
As well, for the same time frame the private sector was up 8,100 jobs (+2.5 per cent), female employment increased by 9,000 jobs (+3.4 per cent), and youth (aged 15-24) employment was up by 4,700 jobs (+5.9 per cent).
The Conference Board of Canada projects that Saskatchewan’s economy will lead the country with real GDP growth of 7.9 per cent this year which surpasses the national average of 4.0 per cent.