Alberta Activity Index

Current issue date

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)

Data table

The following file is available in the Open Government Portal:

• Alberta Activity Index Data Table (January 1981 to March 2023)

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).

Sign up for updates

Subscribe to get our economic publications by email

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]