Canada gains a net 37,300 jobs in January, jobless rate falls to 5.7%

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Canada's economy gained a net 37,300 jobs in January, entirely in part-time work, and the jobless rate edged down to 5.7%, Statistics Canada data showed on Friday.

Employment in the goods producing sector fell by a net 23,000 jobs, largely in construction. The services sector was up by a net 60,400 positions, mostly in wholesale and retail trade, as well as finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing.

Jan 2024 Dec 2023

Jobs gain/loss +37,300 +100

full-time -11,600 -23,500

part-time +48,900 +23,600

Unemployment rate 5.7% 5.8%

Participation 65.3% 65.5%

Labor force 21.587 mln 21.569 mln

Jan 2024 Jan 2023 % change

Avg hourly wage C$35.51 C$33.72 +5.3

NOTE: Analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast an increase of 15,000 jobs in January, and for the unemployment rate to rise to 5.9%. Hourly wage figures are for permanent employees.

(Reporting by Dale Smith; Editing by Promit Mukherjee) (([e-mail]))

Keywords: CANADA ECONOMY/EMPLOYMENT