Windsor's unemployment rate drops to 7.7 per cent in December, 300 jobs added

Windsor’s unemployment rate fell in December to 7.7 per cent as the local economy added 300 jobs, according to new data from Statistics Canada.

Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows the number of those unemployed in the Windsor census metropolitan area dropped from 21,700 in November to 20,500 in December.

Despite the job gains, Windsor’s labour force shrank by 400 people last month. The participation rate held steady at 65.7 per cent, while the employment rate edged up slightly to 60.6 per cent from 60.4 per cent in November.

Even with the December improvement, Windsor continues to rank among the cities with the highest unemployment in the country. The city recorded the 10th-highest unemployment rate nationally, alongside St. John’s, N.L., and Lethbridge, Alta.

The December figure marks a notable improvement compared to a year ago. Statistics Canada data show Windsor’s unemployment rate stood at 8.9 per cent in December 2024, following several months above 10 per cent earlier in 2025.

Ontario, national trends

Ontario’s unemployment rate rose to 7.9 per cent in December, even though the province’s employment rate remained unchanged for a second straight month. Statistics Canada says more people were actively looking for work, which pushed the jobless rate higher.

Nationally, employment changed a little in December, rising by 8,200 jobs. The employment rate held steady at 60.9 per cent.

Canada’s unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points to 6.8 per cent in December, partially offsetting a cumulative decline of 0.6 percentage points recorded over the previous two months. The number of unemployed people nationwide rose by 73,000 to 1.6 million.

Statistics Canada reported rising unemployment among young people. The unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 increased by 0.5 percentage points to 13.3 per cent in December, as youth employment fell by 27,000 jobs. That followed gains in October and November, when youth employment had risen, and the unemployment rate declined sharply.

Among core-aged workers aged 25 to 54, the unemployment rate increased for both men and women as more people searched for work. The rate rose to 6.0 per cent for men and 5.9 per cent for women.

For people aged 55 and older, labour market conditions improved. Employment in that group increased by 33,000, and the unemployment rate fell to 5.1 per cent.