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February 24, 2022EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, DECEMBER AND ANNUAL 2021 PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT
With December reference month results, year-over-year (December 2021 vs. December 2020) and annual (2021 vs. 2020) shows the rebounds in economic activity from the unprecedented declines observed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nova Scotia had 428,199 payroll employees in December 2021, up 0.1% (+629) compared to November 2021, and up 4.6% (+18,829) compared to December 2020. Nova Scotia's payroll employment had been trending upwards since 2017 but declined sharply between February and May 2020 due to restrictions and closures resulting from COVID-19. There was a partial rebound from June to November 2020 due to eased restrictions. In December 2020, Nova Scotia's payroll employment edged down once again on renewed COVID-19 restrictions. Nova Scotia's payroll employment returned to a path of recovery starting in January 2021. Nova Scotia imposed restrictions again at the end of April 2021. These restrictions were eased part-way through June to December 2021. Nova Scotia's payroll employment returned again to a path of recovery starting in June 2021. Nova Scotia's payroll employment has been above its pre-pandemic level since October 2021.
Canada had 17.1 million employees, an increase of 0.7% (+122,225) compared to last month and up 7.0% (+1,125,394) compared to a year ago.
Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's payroll employment was up 1.1% in December 2021. Nationally, payroll employment was up 0.4% in December 2021, with seven provinces reporting higher employment compared to February 2020. The largest payroll employment increases were observed in Prince Edward Island (+4.5%) and New Brunswick (+4.1%). The declines were reported in Alberta (-1.7%), Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.9%) and Ontario (-0.5%).
In 2021, Nova Scotia's payroll employment increased 5.8% over 2020. Nationally, payroll employment rose 5.8% in 2021, with all provinces reporting increases. The largest payroll employment increases were observed in Prince Edward Island (+8.2%) and British Columbia (+6.9%). The slowest payroll employment growth was observed in Alberta (+4.9%).
In 2021, payroll employment was up 5.5% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to 2020. Goods sector payroll employment was up in all sub-sectors with construction (+7.7%) recording the largest gain.
Service sector employment was up 5.9% in 2021 compared to 2020. Service sector payroll employment increased the most in percentage terms in arts, entertainment and recreation and management of companies. Payroll employment decreased in real estate/rental & leasing.
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. Declining average weekly earnings may similarly reflect re-employment in lower wage industries.
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased 1.5% (+$14.80) from November 2021 to $996.33 in December 2021. Average weekly wages were down 0.9% compared to December 2020. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.4% month to month ($1,134.50 in December) and were 1.7% above wages a year ago.
Across the country, there were monthly increases in all provinces except Quebec (-0.3%), with the largest increases in New Brunswick (+1.9%), Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (both +1.5%).
Compared to a year ago, average wages were higher in all provinces except Nova Scotia (-0.9%), with Alberta (+3.0%) recording the largest gain.
Compared to February 2020, average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increase in percentage terms reported in British Columbia (+10.5%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Newfoundland and Labrador (+4.2%).
Compared to 2020, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 1.3% in 2021. Nationally, average wages were up 3.0% in 2021. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in British Columbia (+4.0%) and Ontario (+3.5%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador (both +0.2%).
In 2021, average weekly earnings were up 3.6% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors over 2020. Goods sector wages were up for construction and manufacturing sectors. Service sector average earnings were up 0.8% in 2021. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in accommodation and food services (+4.7%) and finance and insurance (+4.5%). Service sector earnings decreased in information and culture (-0.7%), professional, scientific and technical services (-0.8%) and health care and social assistance (-0.9%).
REFERENCE TABLES - (2021 vs. 2020)
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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