Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile

Unemployment
In Toronto in 2006, 7.6% of people in the labour force were unemployed 10 , which is higher
than the province overall (6.4%). On the whole, unemployment among immigrants – and
recent immigrants in particular – as well as people from racialized groups is greater than in
the general population. One exception is among immigrant men whose unemployment
levels are slightly lower than the other groups.
Unemployment highest among recent immigrants
Even though recent immigrants have the highest proportion of working-age people having
completed university, they also had the highest proportion of unemployed people. One in
eight (12.6%) newcomers in the labour force in 2006 was available or looking for work –
exactly five percentage points more than in the total population. Please refer to Chart 17.
Unemployment among women recent immigrants is double that of women overall
As Chart 17 shows, a greater share of women are unemployed than are men. While this is
the case across all population groups, it is most evident among women who are recent
immigrants. In 2006, more than one in seven (15.1%) newcomer women in the work force
was available or looking for work – almost double the proportion for women in Toronto
overall (8.2%). Please refer to Chart 17.
Chart 17 – Unemployment Rate by Population Groups by Gender – Toronto
20.0
15.1
12.6
Percentage
10.0
8.1
7.1
9.2
10.4
9.5
8.6
10.4
7.6
7.1
8.2
0.0
Immigrants
Recent Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized Groups
Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Total Male Female
10 Unemployment is expressed as a rate that refers to the percentage of people available or looking
for work within the total labour force.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 31