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May 22, 2025EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, MARCH 2025 Monthly (March 2025 vs February 2025, seasonally adjusted regular beneficiaries)
In March 2025, there were 21,930 Nova Scotians in receipt of regular employment insurance benefits (seasonally adjusted). Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted regular employment insurance usage increased by 100 (+0.5%) from February to March.
There were 496,720 Canadians that received regular employment insurance benefits in March 2025 (seasonally adjusted), an increase of 1,410 (+0.3%) from February 2025.
When compared to February 2025, five provinces reported higher employment insurance usage. Saskatchewan reported the fastest decline while Alberta reported the fastest increase.
The number of employment insurance beneficiaries amounted to 3.9% of the labour force in Nova Scotia in March 2025. Nationally, the share of beneficiaries was 2.2% of the labour force. Newfoundland and Labrador had the largest share of beneficiaries of the labour force, while British Columbia had the lowest.
Year-over-year (March 2025 vs March 2024)
Compared to March 2024, Nova Scotia's employment insurance usage rose 1.5% (+330). National employment insurance usage increased 6.0% compared to March 2024. Seven provinces reported higher employment insurance compared to one year ago, with the fastest rise in Ontario. Three provinces reported lower employment insurance usage, with the fastest decline in Newfoundland and Labrador, followed closely by Saskatchewan.
Use of employment insurance (as a share of the labour force) was lower for workers under age 55. Employment insurance use was higher for workers aged 55 and older. Across all age cohorts, male use of employment insurance was higher as a share of the labour force than female use of employment insurance.
The year-over-year increase in employment insurance usage was due to higher usage among core and older age males, partially offset by lower usage among younger males. The employment usage rate was unchanged among younger and core age females, and increasing among older females.
Comparing unadjusted regular beneficiaries for March 2025 against March 2024, employment insurance usage declined the most in Queens, Cape Breton, and Colchester counties (in percentage terms). Employment insurance usage increased the most in Yarmouth and Lunenberg counties.
By occupation, employment insurance beneficiaries were more likely to be in technical trades/transportation, manufacturing/utilities, general trades, and helpers/labourers/other transport operators.
The fastest declines in employment insurance usage were among technical occupations in natural/applied sciences, health occupations, and manufacturing/utilities. Among occupations that reported higher employment insurance usage, the fastest increase was among unclassified occupations, followed by occupations in art/culture/recreation/sport.
Year-to-date (January-March 2025 vs January-March 2024)
Compared to the first two months of 2024, Nova Scotia's employment insurance usage increased 0.5%. National employment insurance usage increased 5.2% compared to January-March 2024. Six provinces reported higher employment insurance compared to one year ago, with the fastest increase in Ontario. Four provinces reported lower employment insurance usage, with the fastest decrease in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Year-to-date, employment insurance usage was higher due to increases among those aged 25+. Younger workers of both sexes saw decreasing employment insurance use, as well as females between the ages of 25 and 54.
In the first three months of 2025, employment insurance usage declined the most in Cape Breton, Guysborough, and Victoria counties (in percentage terms). Employment insurance usage increased the most in Lunenburg , Annapolis, and Yarmouth counties in January-March 2025.
In January-March 2025, employment insurance usage declined the most in engineering/architecture/science middle management occupations, followed by health occupations, and technical occupations in natural/applied science. The fastest increases were in unclassified occupations, and occupations in art/culture/recreation/sport.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0011-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries (regular benefits) by province and territory, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0323-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries by census division, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0456-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries (regular benefits) by province, territory and occupation, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0287-01 Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months
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