Private sector job vacancies in Canada

Job vacancies persisted at the same rate throughout 2025

The private sector job vacancy rate in Canada remained unchanged, at 2.8% in 2025 Q4. Vacancy rates showed little to no change quarter-over-quarter across most provinces and sectors. Year-over-year variations were minimal—under 0.5% for all provinces, sectors, and business sizes, with the exception of agri-businesses .  

Little changes in vacancy rates across provinces

British Columbia (-0.3) and New Brunswick (-0.2) were the only provinces recording a yearly decline. Manitoba (+0.3), Saskatchewan (+0.2), and Newfoundland and Labrador (+0.2) experienced the largest year-over-year increases.

Highest vacancy rates in personal services and construction

On a yearly basis, agriculture (-0.6), and enterprise management businesses (-0.4) saw the biggest drops in their vacancy rates. Construction (+0.3) and retail (+0.3) posted the largest yearly increases in vacancy rates.

Smaller businesses continue leading in vacancy rate declines 

On a yearly basis, businesses with fewer than 20 employees have shown a small increase in vacancy rates, while mid-size businesses under 100 employees recorded a decline.