Statistics Canada says the economy added 246,000 jobs in August, which is fewer than economists had expected.

These gains were largely concentrated in full-time work.

The unemployment rate fell from 10.9 per cent in July to 10.2 per cent last month.

But economists were expecting a slightly higher gain of 275,000 jobs in August, according to financial data firm Refinitiv.

The pace of job gains slowed compared with July, which saw a gain of 419,000 jobs.

Employment also rose at a faster pace for women than men for the third straight month.

Statistics Canada reported women gained about 150,000 positions in August compared to 96,000 for men.