B.C. youth unemployment rate is second-highest in Canada

British Columbia's youth unemployment rate reached 16.6% in May, the second-highest in Canada, raising concerns for graduating students. Statistics Canada data indicates the youth unemployment rate rose from 13.4% in April and 10.5% in May 2024. Alberta's youth unemployment rate is slightly higher at 17.2%, while the national average is 14.2%. This rate is higher than pre-pandemic levels but lower than the peak of 28.6% in June 2020. The overall B.C. unemployment rate is 6.4% for May 2025.