More than 14 Islanders were looking for work for every job available show Statistics Canada numbers to the end of December.

P.E.I. continues to have the toughest job market in the country.

In the three months ending December, more than 14 Islanders were looking for work for every job available, show the latest Statistics Canada numbers.

That's more than double the national average.

Nationally, more than five people are looking for each vacant position.

The first job vacancy report, looking at the summer months, revealed there were nine Islanders out-of-work for every job. However, that figure didn't include the long-term unemployed, young people just starting to look for work, or older people who are trying to return to the job market after a long break.

Statistics Canada has refined those numbers. Including people out of work for more a year, the ratio for June to September was 11 people for every job.