Employment in Canada was virtually unchanged in December 2023; it gained only a net 100 jobs, according to data released today by Statistics Canada. While Canada added 23,600 part-time jobs in December, it lost 23,500 full-time jobs.

The country’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.8% in December, following increases in five of the previous seven months.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a net gain of 13,500 jobs and the unemployment rate to tick up to 5.9% from 5.8% in November.

Among industries, “professional, scientific and technical services” added 45,700 jobs in December, while “healthcare and social assistance” added 15,500. Industries with declines in employment included wholesale and retail trade, down 20,600, and manufacturing, down 18,300 jobs.

Employment in the private sector rose by 10,900 in December, and the number of public-sector jobs increased by 6,800. However, the number of self-employed workers fell by 17,600.

British Columbia led employment growth among the provinces in December, adding 17,700 jobs. However, employment in Ontario fell by 48,000.