Southwest Saskatchewan's job market is shrinking but the percentage of people employed has grown.

In June the region that encompasses Swift Current and Moose Jaw experienced a slight decrease in unemployment of 0.2 per cent when compared to June of 2017 and the previous month.

The unemployment rate for the month of June was 4.4 per cent, tied for the 9th best region in the country out of 66 regions.

Saskatchewan's unemployment rate was pretty stagnant in a year-over-year comparison rising 0.1 per cent from last year to 6.5, but last month's number is 0.3 per cent lower than the previous month.

The country's unemployment rates continue to be amongst the strongest ever at 5.9 per cent down 0.6 per cent from June of 2017.

According to the Stats Canada numbers, the area has lost roughly 500 people in a year's time and the labour force has lost 1,500 people.