The unemployment rate in Calgary was 5.5 per cent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2011, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous quarter. This marks a 1.7 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate from the peak at the end of 2009.

Since the recent low in the fourth quarter of 2010, employment has been steadily trending upwards.

On a seasonally adjusted* basis, 3,000 full-time jobs were added in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the previous quarter. The addition of 900 part-time jobs added to this gain, resulting in an increase of 3,900 positions in total employment levels.

Quarterly full-time employment gains occurred in natural resources and manufacturing, as well as in trade, scientific services, and information and cultural services.

These gains more than offset full-time employment losses in agriculture, utilities, and construction, as well as in transportation and warehousing, the financial sector,  business, education, healthcare, accommodation and food services and in public administration.
 

* Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.