This year marks the 40th time the Annual Statistical Review has collected key data about Prince Edward Island’s economy, population and social makeup, says Finance, Energy and Municipal Affairs Minister Wes Sheridan.

“Our government uses the Annual Statistical Review to make some important policy decisions,” said Minister Sheridan. “It helps us determine how best to deliver programs and services to Islanders, when and where they need them.”

The 2013 Annual Statistical Review provides current and historic socio-economic information about Prince Edward Island. The information can also be useful to businesses and non-governmental organizations in their planning.

More than 100 data tables tell the story of the province’s economic performance in 2013 and the 2011 Census results. The information is compiled from sources including provincial government departments, the private sector and Statistics Canada.

Among other things, the data show that Prince Edward Island was the only Atlantic Canadian province to experience population growth in 2013. The provincial economy grew by 1.3 per cent, and employment was at an all-time-high average of 74,100.

“I remain concerned about the federal government’s decision to abolish the mandatory long-form census in 2011, and its plan to repeat the voluntary National Household Survey for the 2016 Census,” said Minister Sheridan. “Our Island communities are now realizing that data gathered through the voluntary National Household Survey is not as accurate and complete as it was under the mandatory long-form census.”

The Annual Statistical Review is available on the Department of Finance, Energy and Municipal Affairs website at www.gov.pe.ca/asr.

BACKGROUNDER

Highlights of the 2013 Annual Statistical Review

• Island population is 145,237, an increase of 0.05 per cent and the only Atlantic province to show population growth in 2013

• 2013 economic growth of 1.3 per cent

• Employment averaged 74,100 (an all-time high), an increase of 1,300 jobs or 1.8 per cent (the third-highest growth rate in Canada)

• Unemployment rate averaged 11.5, an increase of 0.2 percentage points over 2012

• Total labour income increased by 1.8 per cent

• Farm cash receipts valued $497.0 million, an increase of 3.0 per cent and an all-time high

• Consumer price index increased by 2.0 per cent

• Retail sales increased by 0.8 per cent

• Housing starts totalled 636, a decrease of 32.4 per cent

• New motor vehicle sales in 2013 numbered 7,336 and valued $206.5 million, both all-time highs

• International exports increased by 6.3 per cent