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July 11, 2025LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, JUNE 2025 June labour force survey results reflect the period from June 15 to 21, 2025.
Ages 15+ (June 2025 vs May 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment fell 3,400 (-0.6%) to 523,600 in June following growth of 10,600 (+2.1%) in the previous month.
The change in employment reflected declines for both full-time (-1,900) and part-time (-1,400) employment. Note that changes in full-time and part-time employment can also reflect changing hours for the same job.
Nova Scotia’s labour force declined by 2,700 (-0.5%) to 561,200 in June 2025.
With employment falling faster than labour force, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 6.7% in June 2025.
Nova Scotia's labour force participation rate fell 0.3 percentage points to 61.5% and the employment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 57.3% in June 2025.
Ages 15+ (June 2025 vs June 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with June 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 11,100 (+1.2%), while the labour force increased 5,400 (+1.0%), and employment increased by 4,000 (+0.8%). Compared to June 2024, unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points, the participation rate edged down 0.1 percentage point, and the employment rate declined 0.3 percentage points.
Ages 15+ (January-June 2025 vs January-June 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-June 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 15,000 (+1.7%), while the labour force grew by 2,400 (+0.4%), and employment increased by 2,000 (+0.4%). The unemployment rate was unchanged, while the participation rate fell by 0.8 percentage points and the employment rate fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Note: Year-to-date estimates are calculated as averages of monthly data and rounded to the nearest tenth. Year-to-date changes in the table are also rounded to the nearest tenth.
Age Cohorts (June 2025 vs May 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment declined 1,900 (-2.7%) while the labour force declined by 900 (-1.1%). As employment fell faster than the labour force, the youth unemployment rate rose 1.4 percentage points to 13.1% in June 2025. The youth participation rate fell 0.6 percentage points to 66.3% while the youth employment rate declined 1.5 percentage points to 57.6%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment fell by 200 (-0.06%) while the labour force fell by 100 (-0.03%). With employment and labour force little changed, the core aged unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.7% in June 2025. The core aged participation and employment rates both edged down 0.1 percentage point to 87.5% and 82.5%, respectively.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force declined by 1,600 (-1.3%) while employment fell by 1,300 (-1.1%). With labour force falling faster than employment, the older worker unemployment rate declined 0.1 percentage point to 5.5%. The older worker participation rate declined 0.5 percentage points to 31.9% and the employment rate for older workers declined 0.4 percentage points to 30.2%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, June 2025 vs May 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment declined by 800 (-0.3%) for males while the labour force declined by 1,100 (-0.4%) from May. With employment and labour force falling at a similar pace, the male unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.5% in June. The male participation and employment rates both declined by 0.2 percentage points to 65.1% and 60.2%, respectively.
Females reported an employment decline of 2,600 (-1.0%) and a labour force decline of 1,600 (-0.6%). With employment falling faster than labour force, the female unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 5.9% in June. The female participation rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 58.0% and the female employment rate rose by 0.6 percentage points to 54.6%.
The labour force and employment declines in June were concentrated among youth and older workers, as well as a stronger decline for females than males. Employment declines outpaced labour force change for youth and females, resulting in higher unemployment for these groups. Older workers and males reported a faster decline in labour force than employment, resulting in lower unemployment for these groups.
Age and sex cohorts (June 2025 vs June 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with June 2024, employment growth for core-aged workers (whose population has also grown the most over this period) and youth were partially offset by declines among older workers. All age and sex cohorts reported a rise in unemployment compared to one year ago. Males reported notably stronger gains in labour force and employment compared to females over the same month last year. With slower growth in labour force and employment, females reported notable growth in those not in the labour force.
Age and sex cohorts (January-June 2025 vs January-June 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-June 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among core-aged workers (whose population is also growing more than others). Employment growth was slightly faster than growth in the labour force for core-aged workers, resulting in lower unemployment. Youth and older workers employment declines that outpaced labour force decline. Unemployment declines among core-aged workers were offset by increases among youth and older workers. Males reported growth in labour force outpacing employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Females reported a labour force decline and no change in employment, generating a smaller number of those reporting being unemployed. The number of females not in the labour force increased by more than the numbers of males not in the labour force.
Class of Worker and Industry (June 2025 vs May 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Lower employment in June was due to declines among public sector workers (-1,700, -1.2%) and self-employed (-1,800, -3.4%). Private sector workers increased slightly (+200, +0.06%).
Classified by industry, the largest declines were among accommodation/food services, followed by education, business support/call centres, and health care/social assistance (includes daycares). The strongest growth in June was among forestry/fishing/mining, finance/insurance/real estate, and information/culture/recreation.
Class of Worker and Industry (June 2025 vs June 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to June 2024, there were employment gains for private sector workers (+4,700, +1.4%), partially offset by declines among public sector workers (-700, -0.5%) and the self-employed (-100, -0.2%).
Over the last 12 months, employment grew the most among professional/technical services, transportation/warehousing, and construction. Employment declined the most among accommodation/food services, education, and personal/repair services.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-June 2025 vs January-June 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-June 2024, gains were strongest for public sector workers (+6,400, +4.8%), with smaller gains in self employment (+900, +1.6%). There was a decline in private sector workers (-5,300, -1.6%).
Gains in employment were strongest in health care/social assistance, construction, and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in personal/repair services, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, and finance/insurance/real estate.
Hours worked and employment (June 2025, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries, transportation/warehousing, and education worked more than 40 hours per week in June 2025.
Note that some data on those working few hours in utilities, forestry/fishing/mining and agriculture were suppressed.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, June 2025 vs June 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased by 3.4% from June 2024 to June 2025. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services, information/culture/recreation, utilities, health care/social assistance and education. The largest declines in average weekly wages were in agriculture, followed by personal/repair services and manufacturing.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 1.3% from May 2024 to May 2025.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,190.04 in June 2025. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in utilities, professional/technical services, and public administration. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services and agriculture.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-June 2025 vs January-June 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased 5.5% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation, accommodation/food services, wholesale/retail, and business support/call centers. Agriculture reported the fastest decline in average weekly earnings in January-June 2025.
Average weekly earnings in the first six months of 2025 were highest in utilities, public administration, and professional/technical services. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services, and agriculture in January-June 2025.
Regions (June 2025 vs June 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with June 2024, labour force increases were concentrated in Cape Breton and North Shore, with smaller gains in Halifax. All three of those regions also reported labour force growth that outpaced employment growth, though Cape Breton reported the smallest gap between labour force and employment growth and the smallest growth in the number of unemployed. Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia reported falling labour force and employment compared to one year ago. Halifax saw the strongest population growth, and a large increase in the number of people not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates declined in Cape Breton and Southern Nova Scotia. The unemployment rates in North Shore, the Annapolis Valley and Halifax rose compared to one year ago.
Participation and employment rates were up in Cape Breton and North Shore, and down in Annapolis Valley, Southern Nova Scotia and Halifax compared to one year ago.
Regions (January-June 2025 vs January-June 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-June 2024, labour force increases were concentrated in Cape Breton and the North Shore, with smaller gains in Halifax. Cape Breton reported the largest contribution to employment growth for the period, followed by Halifax and North Shore regions. Cape Breton and North Shore reported stronger growth in labour force than employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Lower labour force and employment in the Annapolis Valley and Southern regions have resulted in more people not in the labour force. Halifax saw the strongest population growth, and a large increase in the number of people not in the labour force.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force was up 0.3% from May with seven provinces reporting growth in June 2025. The fastest growth was in Saskatchewan while the fastest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Compared with June 2024, the national labour force was up 2.1%, with every province except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting increases. Québec reported the fastest increase while Prince Edward Island reported the slowest.
Canada's employment increased by 0.4% in June 2025. Seven provinces reported higher employment in June, led by Alberta and Manitoba. The fastest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Compared with June 2024, the national employment gain was 1.7% with eight provinces reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Alberta and the fastest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national unemployment rate was 6.9% in June 2025, up from 6.4% in June 2024. Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in June 2025.
The national participation rate was 65.4% in June 2025. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.9% in June 2025. Saskatchewan reported the highest employment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest.
In unadjusted results, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 3.4% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 3.1% with the fastest growth reported in Alberta and New Brunswick (followed by Nova Scotia). Prince Edward Island was the only province to report a year-over-year decline in average weekly earnings.
Comparing January-June 2025 with the same months in 2024, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings were up 5.5% - fastest among provinces. National average weekly earnings were up 3.1% year-to-date with the slowest growth in Prince Edward Island.
Census Metropolitan Areas (June 2025, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.9% in the seasonally adjusted June 2025 three month moving average. Outside of Halifax & East Hants the unemployment rate was 8.0%. In central and western provinces, unemployment rates in Census Metropolitan Areas are similar to or higher than unemployment rates outside CMAs. In the Atlantic Provinces unemployment rates are typically higher outside CMAs.
Halifax & East Hant's participation rate was 68.2% in the seasonally adjusted June 2025 three month moving average, while participation rates were 54.7% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.2% in the seasonally adjusted June 2025 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 50.3% outside the city.
Sources: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0036-01 Actual hours worked by industry, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0063-01 Employee wages by industry, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0287-01 Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months; Table 14-10-0380-01 Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0387-01 Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality, last 5 months; Table 14-10-0355-01 Employment by industry, monthly, seasonally adjusted and unadjusted, and trend-cycle, last 5 months (x 1,000); Table 14-10-0288-01 Employment by class of worker, monthly, seasonally adjusted and unadjusted, last 5 months (x 1,000); Table: 14-10-0459-01 Labour force characteristics, three month moving average, seasonally adjusted (x 1,000)
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