April 18, 2025 (Statistics Canada (via LinkedIn)) –
Statistics Canada posted 9 LinkedIn updates from April 11 to April 18, 2025. The agency shared important economic and labor market data, offering insights into various sectors of the Canadian economy. Let's delve into the key areas covered during this period.
Health Workforce Growth and Sustainability
Statistics Canada reported significant growth in the health workforce over the past 25 years. From 1998 to 2024, the number of workers in health occupations grew by an average of 3% per year, double the pace observed across all occupations combined (+1.5% on average per year). This growth indicates a robust and expanding healthcare sector in Canada.
The agency also highlighted the renewal ratio for workers in health occupations, which stood at 1.9 in 2024. This means that for each worker approaching retirement age, there were close to two younger workers aged 25 to 34. This ratio suggests a positive outlook for the sustainability of the healthcare workforce in Canada, with a healthy pipeline of younger professionals entering the field to replace those nearing retirement.
Health workforce grows steadily over 25 years
Croissance constante de la main-d'œuvre en santé
Manufacturing and Wholesale Trade Performance
The manufacturing sector showed positive growth in February 2025, with total manufacturing sales increasing by 0.2% to $72.9 billion. This marked the fifth consecutive monthly gain and the highest level since September 2023. Sales rose in 11 of the 21 subsectors, led by primary metal (+8.3%) and chemical product (+6.7%) industries. However, the petroleum and coal product sales experienced the largest decline (-5.2%). On a year-over-year basis, total manufacturing sales rose by 2.1% in February.
In the wholesale trade sector, sales (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons, and excluding oilseed and grain) rose 0.3% to $85.7 billion in February 2025. The increase was driven primarily by the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector, which saw a significant 7.1% growth. Compared to the same month one year earlier, wholesale sales were 3.3% higher in February.
Manufacturing sales reach highest level since 2023
Wholesale sales show modest growth in February
Employment Insurance and Labor Market Trends
Statistics Canada reported an increase in the number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. In February 2025, the number rose by 12,000 (+2.5%) to 494,000, following four months of little change. Compared to 12 months earlier, the number of regular EI beneficiaries was up by 28,000 (+5.9%) in February.
This increase in EI beneficiaries coincides with data from the Labour Force Survey, which indicated that the unemployment rate had risen by 0.7 percentage points year-over-year to 6.6% in February. These figures suggest some challenges in the labor market, with a growing number of Canadians requiring unemployment support.
EI beneficiaries increase amid rising unemployment
Hausse des prestataires d'assurance-emploi et du chômage
International Securities Transactions
In the realm of international finance, Statistics Canada reported that Canadian investors acquired $27.2 billion of foreign securities in February 2025. This significant investment in foreign securities indicates continued interest in international markets and diversification strategies among Canadian investors.
Canadian investors acquire foreign securities
Les investisseurs canadiens acquièrent des titres étrangers
Overall, Statistics Canada's LinkedIn updates for this period provide a comprehensive overview of key economic indicators, highlighting both strengths and challenges in various sectors of the Canadian economy. The data on health workforce growth, manufacturing and wholesale trade performance, employment insurance trends, and international investment activities offer valuable insights for policymakers, businesses, and the general public in understanding the current state and future directions of Canada's economy.
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