Table of contents

Current issue date

The Alberta Activity Index was updated on May 31, 2023 to include March 2023 data.

Alberta Activity Index

Activity remains at near historical high

  • The Alberta Activity Index (AAX) inched down slightly in March.
  • The index decreased 0.2% month-over-month (m/m) weighed down by the general business and household sectors.
  • Activity in the household sector posted the largest decline as housing starts and retail sales pulled back in March.
  • General business sector activity also eased, with wholesale trade (excluding petroleum and oilseeds and grains) retreating after reaching a record high in the previous month.
  • Meanwhile, the energy sector moved higher supported by seasonally strong drilling.
  • At the same time, solid employment growth lifted activity in the labour market in the month.
  • Despite the monthly decline, the AAX remained higher than a year ago. It grew 1.8% y/y and was up 3.1% year-to-date through March, supported by gains in all sectors.

Chart: Year-over-year change in Alberta Activity Index and real GDP
(to March 2023)

Graph of year-over-year change in Alberta Activity Index and real GDP
Source: Alberta Treasury Board and Finance

Data table

The following file is available in the Open Government Portal:

About the Alberta Activity Index

Developed by Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, the Alberta Activity Index (AAX) is a weighted average of 9 monthly indicators:

  • employment
  • average weekly earnings
  • retail trade
  • wholesale trade
  • manufacturing shipments
  • new truck sales
  • housing starts
  • rigs drilling
  • oil production

For more information on the AAX, please see "Introducing the Alberta Activity Index" from the April 2017 Economic Trends (PDF, 281 KB).

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Contact

Zoia Komirenko, Economist
Alberta Treasury Board and Finance
Phone: 780-644-0021
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

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