According to the study, in 1989 the average young Canadian worker (aged 15-24) worked 30.7 hours per week compared to 25.7 hours in 2023—a decrease of 16.3 per cent.
Similarly, the average hours worked per week declined from 30.9 in the 1980s to 28.0 in the 1990s—and the average from 2020 to 2023 was 25.6 hours.
Clearly, there’s a continuing decline in the hours worked by young people in Canada.
And from January 2023 to May 2024, Canada’s youth unemployment rate increased from 9.7 per cent to 12.6 per cent.
Why are these trends problematic?
Because when young people obtain experience in the workforce, it can have lifelong positive effects. Conversely, when young people have little work experience, it can negatively affect their employment prospects and wages in adulthood.
“If governments want to avoid the possible lasting harms from the recent spike in Canada’s youth unemployment rate, they should help improve the labour market environment for young Canadians,” Eisen said.
Media Contact:
Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:
Drue MacPherson, Fraser Institute
604-688-0221 ext. 721
drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org
