The British Columbia economy ranks fifth in Canada but it is number one in environmental quality and health services, according to the latest and last study by the BC Progress Board.
B.C., however, trails all other western provinces in job growth and is ranked seventh in Canada for employment, the report found. The study states that the province's employment rate in 2011 was at least four percentage points lower than the top two provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Compared with 10 years ago, B.C.'s economy has fallen from fourth place to fifth, the board said. The rankings drop reflects better performance in other provinces, not necessarily a B.C. decline.
In 2010-11, B.C. ranked fourth in inter-provincial migration, with a net inflow of less than 200 persons, its lowest level since 2004.
The report is the progress board's 11th and final study tracking B.C.'s economic and social progress.
from Western Investor February 2012
