Labour Productivity Rises in Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, Falls Elsewhere in 2024
Preliminary data from Statistics Canada show that in 2024, labour productivity increased in Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, while it declined in the other eight provinces. National productivity rose by 0.2% after dropping in each of the previous three years.
According to Statistics Canada, annual labour productivity in Canada was $59.20 per hour in 2024, up 0.2% from the previous year. Quebec's productivity increased by 2.0% and Newfoundland and Labrador's by 1.1%. Decreases were reported in Prince Edward Island (-1.7%), Nova Scotia (-2.1%), New Brunswick (-0.2%), Ontario (-0.2%), Manitoba (-1.9%), Saskatchewan (-0.4%), Alberta (-0.7%), and British Columbia (-1.4%).
Among the territories, productivity grew in the Northwest Territories (5.3%) and Nunavut (11.8%), but fell in Yukon (-11.1%). Nunavut reported the highest productivity at $102.20 per hour, followed by the Northwest Territories at $95.00 per hour. Prince Edward Island had the lowest productivity at $40.50 per hour.
Statistics Canada reported that the slight national increase in productivity occurred during a period of interest rate cuts, slower inflation, and continued population growth. Productivity gains in Quebec were mainly attributed to professional, scientific and technical services; real estate and rental and leasing; and wholesale trade. In Newfoundland and Labrador, growth followed the restart of the Terra Nova offshore oil platform and increased construction activity.
Business output and hours worked increased in all provinces except Quebec, where hours worked fell by 1.1%. The agency noted growth in hours worked slowed to 1.1% in 2024, down from 3.3% in 2023. In the territories, only Yukon recorded an increase in hours worked (+2.6%).
Average compensation per hour worked in the business sector rose in all provinces and territories except Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.8%) and Manitoba (-0.4%). National growth in hourly compensation was 3.0% in 2024, compared to 4.9% in 2023. The Northwest Territories was the only territory with higher growth in hourly compensation in 2024 than in the previous year.
The average hourly wage for full-time paid workers in Canada increased by 4.6% to $41.67 in 2024. Hourly wages ranged from $31.56 in Prince Edward Island to $59.52 in the Northwest Territories. All figures in this article are from preliminary Statistics Canada data released on May 20, 2025.