According to the Saskatchewan Finance in its 2023-2024 budget forecast, real GDP is predicted to slow down significantly from the 4.8% increase in 2021 to 1.3% for 2022 and 1.8% in 2024.

The average year-to-date rate of change in the all-items Consumer Price Index (inflation) in April 2024 over April 2023 was 1.5%. The largest contributors were food (3.3%), shelter (4.1%), recreation, education and reading (8.0%) and Health and personal care (2.9%).

March 2024 year-to-date retail trade was down by -0.8% over the same period in 2023.

• Sub-sectors that posted increases were Gasoline stations (4.7%), Furniture and home furnishings stores (12.5%), Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (4.3%), Health and personal care stores (7.5%), Grocery stores (4.7%), General merchandise stores (4.4%), and all other (24.2%).
• During the same time period, new car dealers (-9.4%), Used car dealers (-26.9%), Electronics and appliance stores (-9.8%), Clothing and clothing accessories stores (-0.4%), Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (-8.7%), and Beer, wine and liquor stores (-40.2%) posted declines. 

March 2024 year-to-date new motor vehicle (units) sales were up 16.0% from March 2023. New minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses sales were up 16.2% while new passenger cars sales were also up 12.8%.

March 2024 year-to-date restaurant receipts were up 5.3% over the same period in 2023. Within restaurant receipt, Special food services (6.4%), Full-service restaurants (1.3%), and Limited-service eating places (7.7%) increased. At the same time, declines were noted in Drinking places (alcoholic beverages) (-4.6%).

March 2024 year-to-date manufacturing sales were down by -7.0% over the same period in 2023.

• Sub-sectors that posted decreases were Food manufacturing sales (-13.2%), Machinery manufacturing sales (-5.9%), Fabricated metal product manufacturing sales (-7.1%), and All other Manufacturing sales (-4.1%). 

March 2024 year-to-date wholesale trade was down -37.0% over the same period in 2023.

• Food, beverage and tobacco merchant wholesalers (43.7%), and Personal and household goods merchant wholesalers (1.3%), all posted increases while Farm product merchant wholesalers (-23.6%), Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories merchant wholesalers (-6.9%) saw declines.

Total International merchandise exports were down -24.1% year-to-date April 2024 over April 2023.

• Sub-sectors that posted increases were Energy products (17.6%), Metal and non-metallic mineral products (11.6%), Basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (51.1%), Forestry products and building and packaging materials (11.1%), Motor vehicles and parts (14.4%), and Consumer goods (9.5%).
• Sub-sectors that posted decreases were Farm, fishing and intermediate food products (-26.3%), Metal ores and non-metallic minerals (-43.6%), Industrial machinery, equipment and parts (-35.5%), Electronic and electrical equipment and parts (-17.5%), Aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts (-43.1%), and Special transactions (-0.4%). 

Year-to-date May 2024 construction employment was down -1,700 or -4.1% from the same period in 2023.

May 2024, total year-to-date housing starts were up by 8 units or 0.7% over the same period in 2023. Year-to-date increases were observed in singles (50 units or 17.1%), row (7 units or 6.0%). Year-to-date declines were limited to apartment and other types (-49 units or-7.6%).

The average year-to-date Housing Price Index Benchmark Composite Price was up from $318,800 in May 2023 to $332,400 in May 2024 or 4.3%.

April 2024 year-to-date building permits were up 15.3% over the same period in 2023. Sub-sectors that posted increases were Industrial (229.1%), commercial (29.7%), and institutional and governmental (31.0%), During the same time period, declines were limited to Residential (-31.4%).            

May 2024 year-to-date employment in Information, culture and recreation was up 2,460 positions or 13% over same period in 2023.

Q2 2024 Provincial population was up 30,503 persons or 2.5% over 2023 Q2 to 1,231,043, an all-time high.

In addition, the provincial population grew by 5,550 people over the first quarter of 2024.