The activity and employment rates of women in Quebec reached in 2023 the highest levels since these statistics were compiled, i.e. since 1976, revealed Tuesday the Institute of Statistics of Quebec.
The ISQ, which has just published its annual report on the labor market for 2023, specifies that the employment rate of women, that is to say the proportion of this population aged 15 and over in employment , reached 59% in 2023.
As for the female activity rate in 2023, that is to say the percentage of this population aged 15 and over who is in employment or actively looking for work, it reached 61 .5%, the “historically highest” rate, indicates the ISQ.
These rates are higher among men, i.e. 65.1% for the employment rate and 68.5% for the activity rate.
Given the possible episodes of maternity in the lives of working women, can we say that the maximum employment rate has been reached for women?
“It’s hard to say that the maximum has been reached. There are still societies where the employment rate among women is higher than in Quebec, but we are still among the highest rates in OECD countries. [Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques] », replied Luc Cloutier-Villeneuve, labor statistics analyst at the ISQ.
Generally speaking, the employment rate also reached, at 62.1%, its highest level since data became available, i.e. since 1976, specifies the ISQ.
Drop in vacancies
Furthermore, the number of vacant positions was down in 2023, at 191,400, compared to the peak of 241,700 in 2022.
This number varies considerably by industry. “The most qualified positions are often more difficult to fill,” underlines Mr. Cloutier-Villeneuve.
Thus, the “health care and social assistance” sector has no less than 43,300 positions to fill, i.e. a vacancy rate of 7.5%, he notes.
But the “accommodation and catering service” sector is still affected by the phenomenon, with a vacancy rate of 7.6%, or 22,000 positions.
Winning regions
Furthermore, employment gains were achieved very differently depending on the region, all things considered.
Thus, employment gains were most marked in the Laurentians, with growth of 8.7%, in Laval, with growth of 5%, and in Capitale-Nationale (Québec), with growth of 4 %.
“The change in employment between 2022 and 2023 is not significant in the other regions. In 2023, the number of jobs in most regions returned to its pre-pandemic level, i.e. 2019, except in Estrie, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and for the Côte-Nord and Nord-Nord grouping. du-Québec, underlines the Institute of Statistics.