Canada Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Canada's agriculture employment was 1.10% in 2025, ranked 12th globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Canada's agriculture employment stood at 1.10% in 2025, a decline of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.03% by 2026. Canada ranked 12th globally.
Canada’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture has fallen sharply over the 35‑year span covered by World Bank data, declining from an all‑time peak of 3.49 % in 1991 to a trough of 1.10 % in 2025, a level that ranks twelfth globally. The contraction reflects structural shifts toward services and high‑technology manufacturing, alongside productivity gains on farms that reduce labour demand. By contrast, Germany records a comparable share of 1.07 % and Puerto Rico 1.14 %, underscoring how Canada’s agricultural employment now aligns with other advanced economies that have largely mechanised production. The long‑term downward trajectory suggests that further automation, climate‑responsive crop choices and trade liberalisation will likely keep the employment share low, unless policy incentives revive rural labour markets or a significant re‑orientation toward labour‑intensive agri‑food sectors occurs.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 0.89% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 0.96% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.03% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.10% | −0.02% | #12 |
| 2024 | 1.13% | −0.14% | #12 |
| 2023 | 1.27% | −0.04% | #15 |
| 2022 | 1.31% | −0.06% | #14 |
| 2021 | 1.36% | −0.19% | #15 |
| 2020 | 1.55% | +0.01% | #16 |
| 2019 | 1.54% | +0.02% | #15 |
| 2018 | 1.52% | +0.00% | #17 |
| 2017 | 1.52% | −0.43% | #17 |
| 2016 | 1.95% | +0.30% | #19 |
| 2015 | 1.64% | −0.08% | #16 |
| 2014 | 1.73% | −0.08% | #16 |
| 2013 | 1.80% | +0.08% | #16 |
| 2012 | 1.72% | −0.04% | #15 |
| 2011 | 1.77% | −0.01% | #15 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Canada matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Canada's agriculture employment was 1.10% in 2025. Ranked 12th globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from the previous year.
Canada's agriculture employment peaked at 3.49% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Canada was 1.10% in 2025.
Canada ranks 12th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Canada's agriculture employment is projected to reach 1.03% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Canada in 2025 was 1.10%. This ranks 12th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_canada_agriculture-employment,
title = {Canada Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/canada/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}