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September 05, 2025LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, AUGUST 2025 August labour force survey results reflect the period from August 10 to 16, 2025.
Ages 15+ (August 2025 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment declined 1,300 (-0.2%) to 524,100 in August following an increase of 1,800 (+0.3%) in the previous month.
The change in employment reflected a decline for full-time (-4,400), partially offset by an increase in part-time (+3,100) 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 decreased by 4,200 (-0.7%) to 560,500 in August 2025.
With labour force decreasing faster than employment, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate decreased 0.5 percentage points to 6.5% in August 2025.
Nova Scotia's labour force participation rate declined 0.5 percentage points to 61.3% and the employment rate declined 0.2 percentage points to 57.3% in August 2025.
Ages 15+ (August 2025 vs August 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with August 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 8,400 (+0.9%), while the labour force increased 3,900 (+0.7%), and employment increased by 4,300 (+0.8%). Compared to August 2024, unemployment rate, participation rate, and employment rate were all lower by 0.1 percentage point.
Ages 15+ (January-August 2025 vs January-August 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with the first eight months of 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 13,500 (+1.5%), while the labour force grew by 3,600 (+0.7%), and employment increased by 3,400 (+0.6%). The unemployment rate was unchanged, while the participation and employment rates each fell by 0.5 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 (August 2025 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment fell by 1,300 (-1.9%) while the labour force fell by 2,300 (-2.9%). As labour force fell faster than employment, the youth unemployment rate declined 0.9 percentage points to 13.1% in August 2025. The youth participation rate declined 1.8 percentage points to 66.0% while the youth employment rate decreased 1.0 percentage point to 57.4%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment fell by 1,700 (-0.5%) while the labour force fell by 3,600 (-1.0%). With labour force falling faster than employment, the core aged unemployment rate decreased 0.5 percentage points to 5.9% in August 2025. The core aged participation rate declined 1.0 percentage point to 86.2%, while the core aged employment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 81.5%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force increased by 1,700 (+1.4%), employment rose by 1,500 (+1.3%), and unemployment was unchanged at 6,900 in August. With labour force rising while unemployment was unchanged, the older worker unemployment rate edged down to 5.4%. The older worker participation rate increased 0.4 percentage points to 33.0% and the employment rate for older workers increased 0.4 percentage points to 31.2%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, August 2025 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment increased by 2,000 (+0.7%) for males while the labour force decreased by 2,700 (-0.9%) from July. With employment rising and labour force falling, the male unemployment rate declined by 1.5 percentage points to 6.9% in August. The male participation rate decreased 0.6 percentage points to 65.4%, while the male employment rate increased 0.5 percentage points to 60.9%.
Females reported an employment decrease of 3,300 (-1.3%) and a labour force decline of 1,400 (-0.5%). With employment falling faster than labour force, the female unemployment rate rose 0.7 percentage points to 6.1% in August. The female participation rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 57.4% and the female employment rate fell by 0.8 percentage points to 53.9%.
The August decline in employment was concentrated among workers under age 55, as well as females, partially offset by higher employment for older workers and males. Youth and core-aged workers reported labour force declines that outpaced the decline in employment, resulting in fewer unemployed among these age cohorts and a higher number of people not in the labour force. Older workers reported labour force and employment growth, with a decline in the number of persons not in the labour force. Unemployment declines among males translated into higher employment and a higher number of males not in the labour force. Employment decline among females that outpaced the labour force decline resulted in both higher unemployment and a higher number of females not in the labour force.
Age and sex cohorts (August 2025 vs August 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with August 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among males, as well as workers aged 15-24 and 55 and over. Core-aged workers reported a small increase in employment and decline in labour force, with a notable increase in population and those not in the labour force. Youth reported employment growth that outpaced labour force growth, and the only age cohort to report population decline. Males reported employment growth that outpaced labour force growth, with lower unemployment and fewer males not in the labour force. Female labour force and employment fell, with increases in population, unemployment, and females not in the labour force.
Age and sex cohorts (January-August 2025 vs January-August 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-August 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among core-aged workers (whose population is also growing more than others). Labour force growth was largely the same as employment growth for core-aged workers, resulting in no change in unemployment. Youth and older workers reported employment declines that outpaced labour force decline. Unemployment increased marginally for youth and older age cohorts and among males, with females reporting the only (marginal) decline in unemployment. Males reported growth in labour force outpacing employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Females reported a labour force decline that outpaced the employment decline, generating a smaller number of those reporting being unemployed. The number of females not in the labour force increased faster than the number of males not in the labour force, despite similar increases in population.
Class of Worker and Industry (August 2025 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
The employment decline in August was due to declines among private sector (-1,000, -0.3%) and public sector workers (-2,400, -1.7%), partially offset by a higher number of self-employed (+2,100, +3.9%).
Classified by industry, the largest declines were among accommodation/food services, wholesale/retail trade, professional/technical services, and health care/social assistance. The strongest growth in August was in construction.
Class of Worker and Industry (August 2025 vs August 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to August 2024, there were employment gains for private sector workers (+1,500, +0.5%), and self-employment (+5,800, +11.5%), while public sector employment declined (-2,900, -2.1%).
Over the last 12 months, employment grew the most in construction, transportation/warehousing, business support/call centres, and professional/technical services.. Employment declined the most in accommodation/food services, followed by wholesale/retail.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-August 2025 vs January-August 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-August 2024, gains were strongest for public sector workers (+4,600, +3.4%), with smaller gains in self employment (+1,800, +3.3%). There was a decline in private sector workers (-3,000, -0.9%).
Gains in employment were strongest in health care/social assistance, construction, and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in personal/repair services, wholesale/retail, and manufacturing.
Hours worked and employment (August 2025, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries and transportation/warehousing worked more than 40 hours per week in August 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, August 2025 vs August 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased by 2.6% from August 2024 to August 2025. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation and finance/insurance/real estate, followed by transportation/warehousing, education, health care/social assistance and wholesale/retail. The largest declines in average weekly wages were in forestry/fishing/mining, followed by personal/repair services.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 1.6% from July 2024 to July 2025.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,190.93 in August 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-August 2025 vs January-August 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased 4.9% in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation, wholesale/retail, and accommodation/food services. Agriculture and forestry/fishing/mining reported the fastest declines in average weekly earnings in January-August 2025.
Average weekly earnings in the first seven 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-August 2025.
Regions (August 2025 vs August 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with August 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated in Halifax, North Shore, and Southern Nova Scotia. North Shore region reported higher labour force, with smaller increases in population and employment, resulting in more people unemployed and fewer not in the labour force. Annapolis Valley reported declines in labour force, employment, and unemployment, and a notable rise in the number of persons not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported employment growth that outpaced labour force growth, resulting in fewer persons in unemployment and not in the labour force. Labour force growth outpaced employment growth in Halifax, resulting in more persons unemployed and not in the labour force compared to one year ago. Cape Breton was the only region to report a decline in the population of working age people.
Unemployment rates declined in Cape Breton, Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia. The unemployment rates in North Shore and Halifax rose compared to one year ago.
Participation rates were up in North Shore, Southern Nova Scotia, and Halifax. Cape Breton reported unchanged participation rates. Employment rates were up in Cape Breton, North Shore, and Southern Nova Scotia, with Halifax's employment rate unchanged compared to one year ago. Annapolis Valley was the only region to report lower participation and employment rates compared to one year ago.
Regions (January-August 2025 vs January-August 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-August 2024, labour force and employment increases were concentrated in Cape Breton, the North Shore, and Halifax, all of which reported stronger growth in labour force than employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Lower labour force and employment in the Annapolis Valley resulted in more people not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported a higher employment on a smaller labour force, resulting in fewer unemployed and a higher number of persons 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 down 0.1% from July with seven provinces reporting declines in August 2025. The fastest growth was in Québec, while the fastest decline was in New Brunswick.
Compared with August 2024, the national labour force was up 1.5%, with every province except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting growth. Alberta reported the fastest increase.
Canada's employment decreased by 0.3% in August 2025. Eight provinces reported lower employment in August led by New Brunswick. Only Prince Edward Island and Québec reported growth in August.
Compared with August 2024, the national employment gain was 1.0% with eight provinces reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Saskatchewan and the fastest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national unemployment rate was 7.1% in August 2025, up from 6.7% in August 2024. Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in August 2025.
The national participation rate was 65.1% in August 2025. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.5% in August 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 2.6% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 3.0% with the fastest growth reported in Manitoba and the slowest in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Comparing January-August 2025 with the same months in 2024, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings were up 4.9% - 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 (August 2025, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.7% in the seasonally adjusted August 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 68.3% in the seasonally adjusted August 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 64.4% in the seasonally adjusted August 2025 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 50.4% 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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