As job openings in Canada steadily decrease, aspiring immigrants and job seekers must concentrate on industries showing positive growth trends.
According to Statistics Canada’s report on December 16, there were 546,100 unfilled positions by the end of Q3 2024. This marks the ninth consecutive quarter of decline from the peak of 983,600 job vacancies recorded in the second quarter of 2022.
This ongoing shift underscores the importance of targeting high-demand occupations, which present better opportunities for individuals seeking Canadian permanent residency or employment. Aligning your skills with these in-demand roles can significantly enhance your chances of success.
Understanding Canada’s Job Market
As of December 16, job vacancies in the third quarter of 2024 declined across both permanent (-27,800; -5.9%) and temporary (-4,100; -4.0%) positions.
These decreases affected both full-time jobs (-19,300; -4.5%) and part-time roles (-12,600; -8.5%).
The unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio rose to 2.6, indicating that there are now 2.6 unemployed individuals for every available job, compared to a ratio of 2 in the first quarter of 2024.
Notably, four of the ten major occupational categories experienced significant drops in job vacancies:
- Sales and service occupations: -12,500 (-7.4%)
- Health occupations: -8,200 (-9.5%)
- Trades, transport, and equipment operators: -6,900 (-6.6%)
- Manufacturing and utilities: -3,100 (-16.1%)
Despite these declines, some industries have shown notable growth in job opportunities, offering hope for job seekers and immigrants.
Top 10 Occupations in Canada With Highest Job Vacancies
| Occupation | Job Vacancies At The End Of the Third quarter of 2024 | Average offered hourly wage ($) |
| Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations  [65201] | 30,130 | $16.85 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses  [31301] | 23,905 | $35.40 |
| Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers  [64100] | 19,970 | $17.55 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates  [33102] | 17,170 | $24.15 |
| Cooks  [63200] | 13,820 | $19.10 |
| Transport truck drivers  [73300] | 13,170 | $27.10 |
| Construction trades helpers and labourers  [75110] | 12,285 | $23.45 |
| Social and community service workers  [42201] | 10,860 | $24.80 |
| Licensed practical nurses  [32101] | 10,615 | $30.05 |
| Food and beverage servers  [65200] | 9,575 | $16.00 |
For those planning to immigrate to Canada or explore new job opportunities, targeting occupations with growing demand can greatly improve career prospects.
Consider focusing on industries such as logistics, engineering, finance, healthcare, and education to increase your chances of securing rewarding employment.
The 10 Jobs with the Highest Yearly Growth in Vacancies
| Occupation | average offered hourly wage ($) | Job Vacancies At The End Of the Third quarter of 2024 | Job Vacancies At The End Of Third Quarter of 2023 | Percentage Change (Year-on-Year) |
| Firefighters | $37.65 | 1,170 | 605 | 93.4% |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | $26.65 | 1,170 | 670 | 74.6% |
| Production and transportation logistics coordinators | $29.50 | 915 | 530 | 72.6% |
| Banking, insurance and other financial clerks | $24.45 | 1,475 | 940 | 56.9% |
| Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants | $29.00 | 1,655 | 1,145 | 44.5% |
| Medical radiation technologists | $34.90 | 1,450 | 1,045 | 38.8% |
| Civil engineers | $44.90 | 2,590 | 1,875 | 38.1% |
| Shippers and receivers | $19.85 | 4,365 | 3,335 | 30.9% |
| Retail sales supervisors | $19.55 | 3,525 | 3,000 | 17.5% |
What is the unemployment rate in Canada?
As of November 2024, Canada’s unemployment rate stands at 6.8%.
Which province in Canada has the highest unemployment rate?
Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 10.8%, followed by Prince Edward Island (8%), Ontario (7.6%), Alberta (7.5%), and New Brunswick (6.9%).
Which province in Canada has the lowest unemployment rate?
Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5.6% as of November 2024. It is closely followed by British Columbia (5.7%), Manitoba (5.8%), Quebec (5.9%), and Nova Scotia (6.1%).
