May 14, 1999
(Human Resources and Employment)

NOTE TO EDITORS:     Minister of Human Resources and Employment Julie Bettney today released
                                        the attached data on Labour Markets and Migration for 1998 and the first
                                        Quarter of 1999.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, (709) 729-5611.

UPDATE ON LABOUR MARKETS AND MIGRATION 1998 AND FIRST QUARTER 1999

EMPLOYMENT - 1998
Employment averaged 197,900 in 1998 compared to 191,900 in 1997.
- Employment gain of 6,000 or 3.1 per cent compared with 1997
- Gains were virtually all full-time/full-year positions
- Major growth recorded in the Business Services, Accommodations/Food and Beverage, Fishery
(processing and harvesting) and Construction industries.

LABOUR FORCE - 1998
The size of the labour force increased by only 4,900 in 1998
- There were enough new jobs (6,000) to absorb the additional people that entered the labour force in search of employment

UNEMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE C 1998
The number unemployed and the unemployment rate both fell
- The unemployment rate declined to its lowest level since 1990, from 18.8 per cent in 1997 to 17.9 per cent in 1998.
- The decline in both the numbers unemployed and the unemployment rate resulted from the fact that employment gains surpassed the increase in the size of the labour force. 

EMPLOYMENT C FIRST QUARTER OF 1999
First quarter employment averaged 191,500 in 1999 compared to 181,300 in 1998.
- Employment gain of 10,200 or 5.7 per cent compared with 1998
- Gains were virtually all full-time/full-year positions 

LABOUR FORCE C FIRST QUARTER OF 1999
The size of the labour force increased by 10,000 in the first quarter
- There were just enough new jobs (10,200) to absorb the additional people that entered the labour force in search of employment. 

UNEMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE C FIRST QUARTER OF 1999
The number unemployed was relatively unchanged but the unemployment rate fell
- The unemployment rate declined to its lowest first quarter level since 1991, from 18.9 per cent in 1998 to 17.9 per cent in 1999.
- The decline in the unemployment rate would have been much stronger had it not been for the strong growth in the labour force. 

EMPLOYMENT C MARCH 1999
March 1999 employment was 190,200 compared to 180,500 in March 1998
- Employment gain of 9,700 or 5.4 per cent compared with March 1998
- Gains were virtually all full-time/full-year positions 

LABOUR FORCE C MARCH 1999
The size of the labour force increased by 12,700 or 5.7 per cent compared to March 1998
- Although employment growth was very strong, there were not enough new jobs (9,700) to absorb the additional 12,700 people that entered the labour force in search of employment 

UNEMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE C MARCH 1999
The number unemployed and the unemployment rate both increased
- The unemployment rate rose to 19.2 per cent in March 1999 compared to 19 per cent in March 1998.
- The number unemployed increased by 3,000 or 7.1 per cent 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
- Strong increase in the number of people entering the labour market is a clear reflection of much improved economic prospects.
- The participation rate rose from 49.7 per cent in March 1998 to 53 per cent in March 1999. 

INTERPROVINCIAL NET OUT-MIGRATION
- Out-migration traditionally lags employment by about two years
- Employment growth in 1997 was positive and very strong in 1998
- Out migration in 1998 slowed, particularly in the last six months
- 1998 (last six months) 2,803 vs. 5,078 in 1997 (last six months)
- 1998 (last six months) 2,803 vs. 6,356 in 1998 (first six months)
- If traditional patterns hold, the level of out-migration could be significantly reduced in coming years
- However, the province has experienced out migration every year since 1972

1999 05 14                                 12:15 p.m.