Youth unemployment increases again in December: StatsCan

The number of Canadians out of work surged again in December, with 1.6 million people now officially unemployed, a jarring increase of 73,000 from the previous month.

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The number of Canadians out of work surged again in December, with 1.6 million people now officially unemployed, a jarring increase of 73,000 from the previous month, according to new data from Statistics Canada.

The 4.9 per cent increase in unemployment was driven by youth, with 27,000 fewer employed last month compared to November.

“The unemployment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 6.8 per cent, as more people searched for work,” reads the Labour Force Survey.

Employment among youth aged 15 to 24 fell by one per cent. The total employment rate, however, remained steady at 60.9 per cent in December.

Conversely, employment increased slightly (0.8 per cent) among those 55 and older.

In terms of workforce sectors, more people were employed in health care and social assistance, and other services related to personal care.

Fewer people were employed in professional, scientific and technical services, accommodation and food services, and utilities.

Employment increased in Quebec and decreased in Alberta and Saskatchewan, while other provinces saw little change.

Average hourly wages among employees increased 3.4 per cent on an annual basis last month, following 3.6 per cent growth in November (not seasonally adjusted).

Full-time employment rose by 0.3 per cent in December while part-time employment fell by 1.1 per cent.

“The decline in part-time work in the month partially offsets a cumulative gain of 148,000 (+3.9 per cent) in October and November,” it said.

“Over the 12 months to December 2025, part-time employment rose at a faster pace (+2.6 per cent; +99,000) than full-time employment (+0.7 per cent; +128,000).”

There was little change in the number of private and public sector employees, as well as those self-employed.