Compared to the third quarter of 2022, this ratio reflects a 43 percent drop in job vacancies alongside a 35.5 percent rise in unemployed persons, as reported in the Labour Force Survey.
Job vacancies in sales and service occupations declined for the eighth consecutive quarter, falling by 12,500, or 7.4 percent, to 155,300.
Despite the drop, sales and service roles accounted for the largest share of vacancies among all occupational groups, representing 28.4 percent of total unfilled positions.
Year-over-year, vacancies in sales and service occupations fell by 29.8 percent, or 71,400. The most significant declines occurred among food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support roles, where vacancies fell by 17,300 to 30,100.
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers saw a decline of 10,100, reducing vacancies to 20,000. Cooks experienced a drop of 6,000, bringing their vacancies to 13,800, while light-duty cleaners saw a reduction of 5,100, leaving 9,000 vacancies.
