This release was issued under a previous government.

You might be aware that Alberta is the fastest growing province in Canada, but did you know the average weekly earnings in Alberta are more than 20 per cent higher than the national average? And did you know that Albertans are big on volunteering? More than 80 per cent of Albertans do some kind of volunteer work. These are just a few of the interesting facts you’ll find in the 2014 Alberta Official Statistics.

Alberta’s updated official statistics are publicly available facts and information that describe conditions or changes taking place in our province. They cover a wide range of topics, including employment, healthcare, social services, the environment and the economy.

Things you may not know about Alberta

  • Alberta’s population grew by 3.5 per cent in 2013—triple the national average—surpassing the four million mark for the first time.
  • A newborn baby girl in Alberta is expected to live for nearly 84 years on average, whereas newborn boys are expected to live for almost 80 years.
  • 2013 was a bumper year for crops, with production soaring 18 per cent higher than in 2012, keeping farm receipts near record levels.
  • In 2013, the number of wildfires decreased from 1,555 to 1,193, remaining below the previous five-year average of 1,585 (2009-2013).
  • The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment ranges from $739 in Medicine Hat to $2,061 in Fort McMurray.
  • About 75 per cent of Alberta's high school students graduated within three years of entering Grade 10 and almost 82 per cent within five years, a notable improvement since 2004-05.
  • Alberta workers enjoyed the highest average weekly earnings ($1,108.01) in 2013 – 22 per cent above the national average.
  • In 2012, Alberta’s total investment in upstream oil and gas reached a record of $51.9 billion.
  • During the past decade, Alberta produced about one-third of the nation’s wheat, slightly more than one-third of the canola crop and almost half of the barley crop.
  • In 2013, almost half of Albertans who volunteered chose to contribute to sports and recreation activities by coaching a team, or by officiating or organizing sporting and recreational events.
  • In 2013-14, nine out of 10 Albertans attended arts events or participated in arts activities.

Albertans can access all Alberta Official Statistics online by visiting www.officialstats.alberta.ca.

Each Alberta Official Statistic has been reviewed and certified for quality. Their development has been guided by the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.