The city's unemployment rate stood at 6.6 per cent in August, according to Statistics Canada labour market survey numbers.
That's down from 7.7 per cent for the same month last year, even though, at 48,000, there were 200 fewer people working last month.
The difference is due largely to fewer people looking for work. Last month, that count stood at 3,400 down from 4,000 a year ago, while those of working age but unemployed and not seeking work was 20,700, compared to 19,500 in August 2015. Also, the number of people of working age living in Prince George is down, from 52,200 last year to 51,500 last month. The August unemployment rate also represents a significant drop from where it stood in July, when it was 7.7 per cent. There were 48,200 people working, 4,000 seeking work and 19,500 not participating while the total workforce added up to 52,200.
The numbers are based on a three-month rolling average and do not separate part-time from full-time employment.
