Canadian Youth Unemployment Rises as New Graduates Struggle to Find Work

Unemployment is up among Canadian youth since April 2022, with new job seekers like recent grads spending more time looking for work. About half the increase in unemployment is from young people previously not in labor force.

An engineering physics grad has applied to over 80 jobs with little success since graduating in May 2022, struggling to find work in software and optics.

Since mid-2022 data has shown unemployment rising while job gains continue, meaning more unemployed relative to labor force size. Layoffs are also accelerating.

A social work student has applied to over 50 entry-level jobs nearing graduation, expecting her practical degree would ease job search. She may need to broaden search.

Career centers cite heightened anxiety among students and advise bolstering experience before and after graduation as job searches now take longer. Economic conditions also play a role.