Alberta's Digital Economy: Outlook 2030

With a digital economy that is driving innovation, job creation, and economic progress, Alberta is a crucial source of economic activity in Canada, accounting for 15.4% of the national GDP as of 2023.

At a time when national productivity is trailing behind that of other countries, Alberta is demonstrating what might be achievable for Canada if industries and policymakers innovate and invest in digital transformation. In 2023, the province’s productivity rates surpassed national rates by 18%, and its information and communications technology (ICT) sector ranks among the top five most productive.  

In the last five years, Alberta’s digital economy has created over 60,000 jobs, raising employment to nearly 36% above pre-pandemic levels. As of December 2024, the province’s digital economy employed approximately 227,300 individuals, accounting for 8.9% of total employment.  

It is with this in mind that the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) has released this six-year outlook on Alberta’s digital economy, reviewing the previous five years of economic growth, innovation, and transformation and looking ahead at what the next six years—through to the end of 2030—might hold for employment, sectoral growth, business and entrepreneurship, and workforce development.  

Alberta has demonstrated remarkable resilience over the last decade, maintaining its status as one of Canada’s most productive regions and a key contributor to Canadian economic growth. The oil and gas industry continues to lead in productivity, but Alberta has been taking proactive steps to enhance economic efficiency by diversifying its most productive sectors toward high-value, technology-intensive industries. As a result, Alberta’s digital economy has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past several years, driven by substantial technology investments, rapid digital transformation across industries, and a restructuring of the workforce.

The growth of Alberta’s digital economy can be attributed to expansion in the ICT sector. From 2014 to 2023, Alberta’s ICT sector grew at an average annual rate of 3.0%, considerably surpassing the general economy’s average growth rate of 1.1%. By 2023, the province’s ICT GDP had significantly exceeded the GDP of its overall economy, with a 6.8% increase compared to the general economy’s 2.3% growth. This trend is typical of Alberta’s ICT sector, which has often outperformed the general economy, particularly during economic challenges.  

Looking ahead to the next six years, continued growth is expected to result in significant expansion of the ICT sector in Alberta. ICTC forecasts an average annual growth rate of 1.7% for Alberta’s ICT GDP from 2024 to 2030, projecting it will reach $13.093 billion by 2030.

The robustness of Alberta’s ICT sector is evident in ICT startups consistently outperforming the broader economy in business creation. Moreover, the growing digital adoption across industries is driving demand for ICT services; the sector is increasingly integrated with traditional industries, such as oil and gas, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. Significant investments in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cleantech are further supported by initiatives like the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy and the Alberta Broadband Strategy. The synergy of these developments has the potential to enhance GDP in the medium term.  

ICTC projects that Alberta’s digital economy may see an average annual employment growth of 1% from 2025 to 2030, which could lead to the creation of 13,600 jobs and increase total employment to 240,100 by 2030.

Sectors that stand out as significant technology employers in the province include the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, as well as the utilities sector. Additionally, a growing presence of technology talent in the manufacturing, mining, quarrying, oil, and gas sectors indicates ongoing digital transformation and technological integration within traditionally labour-intensive industries. In 2022, Alberta led the nation in the adoption of advanced or emerging technologies, with an average of 49.3% of companies implementing at least one such technology. As businesses increasingly acknowledge technology as being essential to their operations, the demand for technology professionals is expected to keep rising.

Alberta’s growing ICT sector is driving demand for technology workers, making human capital a key challenge for digital economy employers.

To better understand talent and skill demands, this study conducted interviews and a survey with professionals and employers in Alberta’s digital economy. Nearly 60% of employers reported struggling with retention, while 50% found recruitment challenging. The difficulty lies in securing talent. As technologies advance, so too does the convergence of skills and technologies within roles, resulting in a growing demand for interdisciplinary talent.

Alberta’s labour market is tightening despite attractive factors such as a relatively low cost of living, affordable housing, and lower taxes. To address labour gaps, employers are focusing on training and upskilling their current employees, hiring newcomers, collaborating with recruitment agencies, and partnering with educational institutions. Work-integrated learning (WIL) plays a vital role in career progression, helping new entrants transition to mid-level roles and ensuring a strong talent pipeline.

Alberta’s digital economy has become a crucial catalyst for innovation, job creation, and economic advancement. The ability to implement digital solutions across multiple industries, coupled with stabilizing macroeconomic conditions, a growing population, alignment in workforce development, and governmental support, has created a strong basis for ongoing growth that will enhance Alberta’s status as a leading technology hub and a significant contributor to Canada’s digital future.