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February 25, 2021EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, DECEMBER AND ANNUAL 2020 PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 408,133 payroll employees in December 2020, a decrease of 0.3% (-1,375) compared to November 2020, and down 4.2% (-17,917) compared to last December. Nova Scotia's payroll employment had been trending upwards since 2017 but declined sharply after February due to restrictions and closures resulting from COVID-19 and partially rebounded from June to November due to eased restrictions. In December 2020, Nova Scotia's payroll employment edged down on renewed COVID-19 restrictions in November.
Canada had 16.0 million employees, an increase of 0.3% (+44,179) compared to last month and down 6.3% (-1,077,737) compared to a year ago.
Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's payroll employment is down 3.9%. Nationally, payroll employment is down 6.2% in December 2020, with all provinces reporting decreases. The largest payroll employment decline has been observed in Alberta (-8.3%), Ontario (-6.9%), and Manitoba (-6.8%). The smallest decline has been observed in New Brunswick (-0.5%).
Compared to 2020Q3, Nova Scotia's payroll employment was up 4.3% in the last quarter of 2020. Nationally, payroll employment was up 3.3% in 2020Q4, with all provinces reporting increases. The largest payroll employment increase was observed in Prince Edward Island (+6.6%) while the smallest increase was observed in Manitoba (+1.5%).
In 2020, Nova Scotia's payroll employment declined 6.5% over 2019. Nationally, payroll employment declined 8.2% in 2020, with all provinces reporting decreases. The largest payroll employment decline has been observed in Alberta (-10.1%), Ontario (-8.8%), and British Columbia (-8.1%). The smallest declines have been observed in the Maritimes: New Brunswick (-4.5%), Prince Edward Island (-6.2%) and Nova Scotia (-6.5%).
As 2020 was an unprecedented year, national payroll employment declined in 2020 over 2019. Employment declined in all provinces in 2020 over 2019 with the fastest decline in Alberta.
In 2020, payroll employment was down 7.0% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to 2019. Goods sector payroll employment was down for manufacturing (-5.4%), construction (-9.6%) and forestry/logging (-9.5%) sectors compared to 2019.
Service sector employment was down 6.2% in 2020 compared to 2019. Service sector payroll employment decreased the most in percentage terms in arts/entertainment/recreation (-25.1%), accommodation and food services (-24.5%), and other services (except public administration) (-10.8%). Payroll employment increased in finance and insurance (+1.2%) and management of companies (+7.2%).
AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS
Changes in average weekly earnings reflect wage growth as well as changes in the composition of employment by industry/occupation/experience, and average hours worked per week. During COVID-19, large employment losses have been reported in industries with relatively low average weekly earnings. This means that average weekly earnings were increasing because those remaining employed are working in industries with higher average weekly earnings.
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) decreased 0.5% (-$5.0) from November 2020 to $948.71 in December 2020. Average weekly wages were up 3.1% compared with December 2019. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.2% month to month ($1,111.54 in December) and were 6.4% higher than they were a year ago.
Across the country, there were monthly increases in six provinces, with the largest increase in New Brunswick and British Columbia (both at +1.2%). The largest decrease was reported in Nova Scotia (-0.5%).
Compared to a year ago, average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in British Columbia (+9.6%), Ontario (+7.4%), Quebec and Prince Edward Island (both at +6.9%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Newfoundland and Labrador (+1.8%).
Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 2.2%. Nationally, average wages were up 6.2% in December 2020 over February 2020. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in British Columbia (+8.5%) and Ontario (+7.4%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Alberta (+1.7%).
Compared to 2020Q3, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 0.2%. Nationally, average wages were down 0.2% in 2020Q4. Average wages declined in six provinces with the largest decline in percentage terms was reported in Newfoundland and Labrador. The largest increases were reported in Manitoba and British Columbia (both at +0.8%)
Compared to 2019, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 6.3%. Nationally, average wages were up 6.7% in 2020. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in Prince Edward Island (+8.8%), British Columbia (+8.5%), and Quebec (+7.8%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Alberta (+3.3%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+3.8%).
Annual growth in average weekly earnings was faster in 2020 than in 2019 for all provinces with the fastest growth in Prince Edward Island and British Columbia.
In 2020, average weekly earnings were up 1.1% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors over 2019. Goods sector wages were up for construction and lower in manufacturing and forestry and logging sectors. Service sector average earnings were up 7.5% in 2020. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in arts, entertainment & recreation (+13.6%) and information & culture (+12.0%). Service sector earnings decreased in management of companies (-2.1%).
REFERENCE TABLES - (2020 vs 2019)
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0222-01 Employment, average hourly and weekly earnings (including overtime), and average weekly hours for the industrial aggregate excluding unclassified businesses, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0223-01 Employment and average weekly earnings (including overtime) for all employees by province and territory, monthly, seasonally adjusted
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