With 2023 in its final stretch, it’s worth reflecting on where the job growth in Alberta has been concentrated so far this year.

There were—on average—almost 84,000 more people working in Alberta over the first ten months of 2023 than over the same period in 2022.

This translates into a year-to-date (YTD) increase of 3.5% compared to 2.4% nationally.

Almost all (99%) of the YTD growth in Alberta was in full-time work.

Private sector employment accounted for 85% of the total YTD increase, the public* sector for 13% and self-employment for 2.0%.

The growth was weighted toward men, with the increase in the number of male workers accounting for 59% of total YTD growth.

About two-thirds of the new jobs went to Albertans aged 25 to 54 compared to 31% to those 55 and over and just 3.0% to those in the 15-24 cohort.

*Those who work for a local, provincial or federal government, for a government service or agency, a crown corporation, or a government funded establishment such as a school (including universities) or hospital.

Answer to the previous trivia question: Seven is the minimum number of consecutive days without work and without pay needed to qualify for regular Employment Insurance benefits.

Today’s trivia question: What was the original name of Remembrance Day?