Unemployment in Alberta experiences a significant surge in July
Alberta's job market took a hit in July 2025, with the unemployment rate rising to 7.8%, the highest since October 2021. The increase can be attributed to a decrease in employment and an increase in the labor force [1][2][3].
In a month-on-month comparison, Alberta lost approximately 17,000 jobs, while the labor force expanded by around 12,400. This combination resulted in more people actively seeking work but fewer actually employed, leading to a rise in unemployment [2].
Key factors contributing to the employment decline include job losses in industries such as information, culture, and recreation, and construction. The employment decline was particularly pronounced among youth aged 15 to 24, who saw a drop of about 34,000 [2].
Calgary and Edmonton, two of Alberta's largest cities, experienced an increase in their unemployment rates. In Calgary, the unemployment rate rose from 7.4% in June to 7.7% in July, while in Edmonton, it increased from 7.5% to 7.9% during the same period. Lethbridge, another major city, saw an unemployment rate jump from 5.2% in June to 5.7% in July, marking the highest increase among the four largest cities in Alberta [1][2].
In contrast, Saskatchewan was the only province to record an increase in employment in July, gaining 3,500 jobs. Saskatchewan's unemployment rate remained at 5%, the lowest among all provinces [1].
Despite the unemployment increase, average hourly wages in Alberta rose year-over-year by about 3.3%, indicating some wage growth amid the job losses [2].
In summary, the sharp rise in Alberta's unemployment rate in July 2025 was due to a significant drop in employment, especially among younger workers and certain industries, combined with an increased labor force size, thus driving up the unemployment statistic [1][2].
[1] Statistic Canada. (2025). Labour Force Information - Monthly. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1vd/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410000201
[2] Alberta Government. (2025). Labour Market Indicators. Retrieved from https://www.alberta.ca/statistics/labour-market-indicators.aspx
[3] Calgary Herald. (2025). Alberta Unemployment Rate Hits Highest Level Since October 2021. Retrieved from https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/alberta-unemployment-rate-hits-highest-level-since-october-2021
- The increase in Alberta's unemployment rate is caused by a decrease in employment, particularly in the sectors of information, culture, recreation, and construction, and this trend is reflective of the general news and politics, as economic stability often hinges on strong business performance.
- The disparity in employment rates between Alberta and Saskatchewan, with the former experiencing a rise in unemployment and the latter seeing an increase in employment, highlights the significant role that finance and business play in the overall health of a province's economy.
