Canada’s unemployment rate rose 5.2% in May, the first increase since August 2022, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by Statistics Canada.

Still, total employment in the country was little changed in the country overall, though Canada lost 17,300 jobs in May compared to April, Statistics Canada reported. Economists polled by Bloomberg had anticipated a gain of 21,300 jobs in May and a jobless rate of 5.1%.

The decline was primarily driven by 77,300 job losses among youth aged 15 to 24, according to Statistics Canada. However, employment increased by 62,600 in May among people aged 25 to 54.

The number of self-employed workers fell 39,600 in May, while the number of private-sector employees rose by 12,500 and the number of public-sector employees rose by 9,700.

Total employment in the country was 20.1 million in May.

According to Statistics Canada, the average hourly wages for employees rose by C$1.61 year over year to C$33.25 (not seasonally adjusted).

The agency also noted 10.0% of workers had a hybrid work arrangement in May, an increase of 3.7% since May 2022. In addition, 14.4% of workers worked exclusively at home, down 4.8% from May 2022.

Looking at just Ontario, the province lost 23,900 jobs in May for total employment of nearly 7.9 million.