Canada sees 25,000 new jobs created in May

OTTAWA: Canada's economy added 25,000 jobs in May for a fifth consecutive month of employment gains, Statistics Canada announced on Friday.

The national unemployment rate, however, remained unchanged at 8.1 percent, as more people returned to the labor market after exhausting social benefits, the government agency said in a statement.

The job creation figure significantly exceeded analysts' expectations that 15,000 new jobs would be created in the month, after 109,000 new jobs were created in May.

The private sector added 43,000 people to its payrolls but there were 28,000 fewer self-employed workers.

Canada's transportation and warehousing sector; healthcare and social assistance; public administration; and agriculture recorded the highest job gains.

These were offset by job losses in information, culture and recreation; accommodation and food services; and natural resources.

May's overall employment growth was mainly among women aged 55 and over (+17,000), said Statistics Canada.