[i][ii]

Unemployment Rate

  • The unemployment rate is the number of unemployed persons as a percentage of people in the labour force.
  • In 2014 the monthly labour force unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA was between a low of7.4% and a high of 8.2% which was higher than Canada (6.6% to 7.1%) and higher or equal to Ontario (6.9% to 7.6%) on a month over month basis.

Participation Rate

  • The participation rate is the total labour force as a percentage of the population aged 15 years and over.
  • In 2014 the monthly labour force unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA was between a low of61.7% and a high of 63.5% which was lower than Ontario (65.7% to 66.1%) and almost equal to Canada (61.7% to 63.5%).

Labour Force Survey Historical Trends

Employment Rate

  • From the year 2000 to 2008 the annual labour force employment rate (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA was generally higher than that of Ontario. The London CMA and Ontario employment rates were higher than that of Canada. The reverse holds true for the period of 2009 to 2012.
  • In 2014 the average annual labour force employment rate (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA was 57.7% which was lower than Ontario (61.1%) and Canada (61.5%).

Unemployment Rate

  • From the year 2000 to 2004 the annual labour force unemployment rates (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA and Ontario were lower than that of Canada.
  • Unemployment rates were similar for the London CMA, Ontario and Canada throughout 2005 to 2006. Generally from 2008 to 2012 the unemployment rate for the London CMA was higher than that of Ontario and Canada.
  • In 2014 the average annual labour force unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA was 7.7% which was higher than Ontario (7.3%) and Canada (6.9%).

Participation Rate

  • From the year 2000 to 2008 the annual labour force participation rate (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA was generally higher than that of Ontario and the London CMA and Ontario rates were higher than that of Canada
  • From 2009 to 2014 the rates for Ontario and Canada have been similar to each other and higher than that of the London CMA
  • In 2014 the average annual labour force participation rate (seasonally adjusted) for the London CMA was 57.7% which was lower than Ontario (61.1%) and Canada (61.5%).

Data Sources

Statistics Canada. Table 282-0116 - Labour force survey estimates (LFS), by census metropolitan area based on 2006 census boundaries, 3-month moving average, seasonally adjusted and unadjusted, monthly. For further detailed information visit Statistics Canada website at

Definitions:

Employment: Employed persons are those who, during the reference week did any work for pay or profit, orhad a job and were absent from work.

Unemployment:Unemployed persons are those who,during reference week, were available for work andwere either on temporary layoff, had looked for workin the past four weeks or had a job to start within thenext four weeks.

Not in the Labour Force: Persons not in the labour force are those who, during the reference week, wereunwilling or unable to offer or supply labour services under conditions existing in their labour markets, thatis, they were neither employed nor unemployed.

Reference Week: With respect to the Labour Force Survey the reference week is normally the week containing the 15th day of the month. Data collection for the LFS is carried out each month during the week following the LFS reference week.