British Columbia's youth unemployment rate rose sharply in May

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