Canada adds 41,000 jobs in February, unemployment rate rises to 5.8% from 5.7%

Employment gains led by accommodation, food services with gain of 26,000

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Canada's employment increased by 41,000 in February, according to official figures released on Friday by Statistics Canada.

The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage point to 5.8%, from 5.7% in January when it marked the first decline since December 2022. The figure was in line with market estimates.

Employment gains were spread across several industries in the services-producing sectors, led by accommodation and food services with a gain of 26,000, or 2.4%.

There were, however, declines in other industries, led by educational services with a loss of 17,000, or 1.1%.

The participation rate, which is the proportion of the population that is employed, remained unchanged at 65.3% last month.

Average hourly wages, annually, increased 5%.

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