Highest Unemployment in British Columbia

Top 100 cities ranked by highest unemployment

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All Countries · Canada · British Columbia

Highest Unemployment — British Columbia

1 Whistler 17.5%

2 Central Kootenay H 13.1%

3 Metro Vancouver A 12.4%

4 Cariboo G 11.7%

5 Hope 11.5%

6 Cariboo A 11.1%

7 Richmond 10.8%

8 Peachland 10.8%

9 Castlegar 10.8%

10 Revelstoke 10.1%

11 Port Alberni 9.9%

12 Dawson Creek 9.8%

13 Nanaimo E 9.7%

14 Burnaby 9.6%

15 Merritt 9.6%

16 Nanaimo G 9.6%

17 Duncan 9.5%

18 Nelson 9.5%

19 Prince Rupert 9.5%

20 Prince George 9.4%

21 Fernie 9.4%

22 West Vancouver 9.4%

23 Kitimat 9.4%

24 Comox Valley B 9.3%

25 Columbia-Shuswap C 9.3%

26 Tsinstikeptum 10 9.1%

27 Nanaimo F 9.0%

28 Vancouver 9.0%

29 Fort St. John 8.9%

30 Surrey 8.6%

31 Courtenay 8.5%

32 Nanaimo 8.4%

33 New Westminster 8.3%

34 Oliver 8.2%

35 Vernon 8.2%

36 Nanaimo A 8.2%

37 Summerland 8.2%

38 Victoria 8.1%

39 Port Coquitlam 8.1%

40 Ladysmith 8.0%

41 White Rock 8.0%

42 Kelowna 7.9%

43 Trail 7.9%

44 Salmon Arm 7.9%

45 Abbotsford 7.8%

46 Kimberley 7.7%

47 Qualicum Beach 7.7%

48 Coldstream 7.7%

49 Powell River 7.7%

50 Peace River C 7.6%

51 North Vancouver 7.5%

52 West Kelowna 7.5%

53 Comox Valley C 7.5%

54 Lake Country 7.5%

55 Bulkley-Nechako A 7.4%

56 Cranbrook 7.4%

57 Delta 7.3%

58 Comox Valley A 7.3%

59 Peace River B 7.2%

60 Port Moody 7.2%

61 Kent 7.1%

62 North Cowichan 7.0%

63 Oak Bay 7.0%

64 Langley 6.9%

65 Saanich 6.8%

66 Armstrong 6.8%

67 Parksville 6.8%

68 Squamish 6.8%

69 Maple Ridge 6.7%

70 East Kootenay C 6.7%

71 Sooke 6.7%

72 Chilliwack 6.6%

73 Southern Gulf Islands 6.6%

74 Terrace 6.5%

75 Pitt Meadows 6.4%

76 Cowichan Valley B 6.2%

77 Spallumcheen 6.2%

78 Langford 6.2%

79 Smithers 6.0%

80 Cowichan Valley C 5.9%

81 North Saanich 5.9%

82 View Royal 5.6%

83 Metchosin 5.5%

84 Saltspring Island 5.4%

85 Cascade Heights 5.1%

86 South Cambie 5.1%

87 Rutland 5.1%

88 Ranch Park 5.1%

89 Sunset 5.1%

90 East Newton South 5.1%

91 Hillside-Quadra 5.1%

92 Oaklands 5.1%

93 Brentwood Bay 5.1%

94 Strawberry Hill 5.1%

95 Mill Bay 5.1%

96 Inlet Centre 5.1%

97 East Newton North 5.1%

98 Kingsway-Beresford 5.1%

99 Hastings-Sunrise 5.1%

100 South Arm 5.1%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in British Columbia face significant economic challenges. Whistler has an unemployment rate of 17.5%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Whistler, about 1 in 6 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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