The ratio, in percent, of the number of employed persons to total labor force.

The number of persons employed during the Labour Force Survey reference week expressed as a percentage of the population 15 years of age and over. The employment rate for a particular group (age, sex, province, etc.) is the number employed in that group expressed as a percentage of the population for that group. In sections N and O, the reference week refers to the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (e.g., the 2001 Census Day was May 15th).

"Employment Rate is the number of employed persons expressed as a percentage of the population 15 years of age and over. The employment rate of a population can be presented by age groups, sex, marital status, province, etc." Source: Statistics Canada: Guide to the Labour Force Survey (2006)

The percentage of the labor force that is employed. The employment rate is one of the economic indicators that economists examine to help understand the state of the economy. See also unemployment rate.