Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 3,700 jobs from last month and decreased by 1,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 1,300 jobs from last month and decreased by 1,200 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 2,200 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 1.5 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.4 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 0.7 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 2,400 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 2,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 2,400 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 2,300 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Manufacturing: 14,700 workers.
• Construction: 13,200 workers.
• Agriculture: 11,500 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, which together account for 84.9% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade: 25,300 workers.
• Health care and social assistance: 24,500 workers.
• Educational services: 12,000 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 56.8% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Agriculture: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 13.53%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,700 workers (increased by 7.46%).
• Utilities: Change of 1,600 workers (increased by Inf%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 1,300 workers (decreased by 18.06%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 1,200 workers (increased by 14.63%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Accommodation and food services: Change of 4,500 workers (decreased by 52.94%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 4,400 workers (increased by 21.05%).
• Educational services: Change of 4,200 workers (decreased by 25.93%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 3,400 workers (decreased by 18.78%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 2,700 workers (increased by 40.3%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in April 2026 was 40,570, showing a subtle decrease of 140 from the previous month. Relative to April last year, employment levels grew by 190, demonstrating resilience.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 58.6% in April 2026. This represents a decline of 0.3 percentage points from March (58.9%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points from 58.7%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.4% in April 2026, down 0.2 percentage points from March. Compared to April last year (8.2%), the rate has decreased by 1.8 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (-0.01) 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 (0.09) 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 0.05 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Medicine Hat SLA consists of the following communities: Cypress County, Medicine Hat, Redcliff.