Thousands line up for jobs at the CNE in Toronto in 2025
Screenshot courtesy Toronto Star
Alberta’s youth unemployment rate hit 20.3% in July, the highest in decades, according to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey released on August 8.
This figure represents the percentage of individuals aged 15 to 24 who are unemployed and actively seeking work, signalling a troubling trend for the province’s young workforce.
Despite the numbers, the Government of Canada has approved thousands of work and study permits for migrants in 2025.
The spike, up from 16.4% in June, reflects a loss of 34,000 youth jobs, as noted in the survey. Economists attribute the rise to a slowing Alberta economy and a growing youth labor force, with ATB Financial’s Robert Roach stating, “Last month’s drop in youth employment is more than just an interesting statistical anomaly—it’s a sign of an especially difficult time for young job seekers.”
The trade war’s impact and a 5.4% year-to-date increase in the 15-24 age group have intensified competition, Roach added.
Provincial leaders are under pressure to respond. Global News reported that the 1% jump in Alberta’s overall unemployment rate to 7.8% was the worst nationally, with youth bearing the brunt.
BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter called the data “unambiguously weak,” highlighting trade uncertainty as a factor. Meanwhile, posts on X echo public frustration, with users noting the irony of high youth unemployment amid temporary foreign workers and international students.
As Alberta grapples with the problem, calls for targeted job programs grow louder, with the youth unemployment rate now a focal point in economic policy debates.