Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Canada
Canada: Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 33.5 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Canada, 1997–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Canada is 33.5, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 11.5% on the previous year and up 21.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Canada peaked at 105.6 in 1997 and was at its lowest, 19.92, in 2007.
That places Canada 42nd out of 89 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Canada, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 105.6 | — |
| 1998 | 80.11 | -24.1% |
| 1999 | 68.3 | -14.7% |
| 2000 | 47.83 | -30.0% |
| 2001 | 39.32 | -17.8% |
| 2002 | 41.54 | +5.6% |
| 2003 | 36.26 | -12.7% |
| 2004 | 30.55 | -15.8% |
| 2005 | 30.47 | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 24.26 | -20.4% |
| 2007 | 19.92 | -17.9% |
| 2008 | 22.1 | +10.9% |
| 2009 | 36.65 | +65.8% |
| 2010 | 35.17 | -4.0% |
| 2011 | 30.26 | -13.9% |
| 2012 | 29.91 | -1.2% |
| 2013 | 27.16 | -9.2% |
| 2014 | 25.82 | -4.9% |
| 2015 | 27.66 | +7.1% |
| 2016 | 31.33 | +13.3% |
| 2017 | 23.6 | -24.7% |
| 2018 | 21.26 | -9.9% |
| 2019 | 19.97 | -6.1% |
| 2020 | 69.82 | +249.6% |
| 2021 | 42.45 | -39.2% |
| 2022 | 21.97 | -48.2% |
| 2023 | 22.13 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 30.04 | +35.7% |
| 2025 | 33.5 | +11.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 84.67 | 68.3 | 105.6 | 3 |
| 2000s | 32.89 | 19.92 | 47.83 | 10 |
| 2010s | 27.21 | 19.97 | 35.17 | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.65 | 21.97 | 69.82 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More work & labour data for Canada
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.3281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.3334 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.3231 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.29 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.6552 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 39,234 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 5,715 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 26,798 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 26,814 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 53,612 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Canada?
- Discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Canada was 33.5 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 105.6 in 1997.
- What is the lowest discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.92 in 2007.
- How does Canada rank for discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- Canada ranks 42nd out of 89 countries with data for 2025.
- Is discouraged jobseekers (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Discouraged jobseekers (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. Discouraged job-seekers refer to those persons of working age who during a specified reference period were without work and available for work, but did not look for work in the recent past for specific reasons (for example, believing that there were no jobs available, believing there were none for which they would qualify, or having given up hope of finding employment). Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.