COVID-19 and the labour market in April 2020

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Release date: May 8, 2020
COVID-19: A data perspective Related articles More information PDF version
Infographic: COVID-19 and the labour market in April 2020
Description: COVID-19 and the labour market in April 2020

COVID-19 and the labour market in April 2020

5.5 million Canadians have been impacted by COVID-19 by either job loss or reduced hours 
Between February and April 2020 there were…

  • 2.5 million more people who worked less than half their usual hours
    • Almost 4 of 10 solo self-employedNote 1 people did not work any hoursNote 2
    • 40%Note 2 of people who worked less than half their regular hours feared they might lose their job
  • 1.3 million more people unemployed
    • Among students aged 15 to 24 the unemployment rate increased to 32%Note 2
    • Almost all (97%Note 2) of the newly-unemployed were on temporary layoff – meaning they expected to return to their former employer when the shutdown is relaxed
  • Well over 1.7 million fewer people in the labour force
    • 1.1 million had worked recently – in March or April – and wanted to work
    • If these people were counted as unemployed, instead of being counted as out of the labour force, the unemployment rate would be almost 18% instead of 13%

12.0 million Canadians worked at least half their usual hours in April 2020 

  • 5.0 million people worked most of their hours from home
    • 3.3 million of them said they usually worked elsewhere

Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Industry (appearing as row headers), % working from home and Characteristics (appearing as column headers).
Industry % working from home Characteristics
Accommodation and food services 8 More physical contact required

Some of the largest employment declines since February
Construction 19
Wholesale and retail trade 21
Public administration 63 Less physical contact required

Relatively fewer employment losses since February
Finance, insurance and real estate 67
Professional, scientific and technical services 75

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2020

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