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October 10, 2025LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, SEPTEMBER 2025 September labour force survey results reflect the period from September 14 to 20, 2025.
Ages 15+ (September 2025 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment rose 1,300 (+0.2%) to 525,400 in September, following an equivalent decline of 1,300 (-0.2%) in the previous month.
The change in employment reflected an increase for full-time (+2,100), partially offset by a decline in part-time (-800) 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 200 (-0.04%) to 560,300 in September 2025.
With employment rising and labour force contracting, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 6.2% in September 2025.
Nova Scotia's labour force participation rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 61.2% while the employment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 57.4% in September 2025.
Ages 15+ (September 2025 vs September 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with September 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 7,700 (+0.8%), while the labour force increased 3,400 (+0.6%), and employment increased by 3,800 (+0.7%). Compared to September 2024, the unemployment rate and employment rate were lower by 0.1 percentage point, while the participation rate declined by 0.2 percentage points.
Ages 15+ (January-September 2025 vs January-September 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with the first nine months of 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 12,800 (+1.4%), while the labour force grew by 3,600 (+0.7%), and employment increased by 3,400 (+0.7%). The unemployment rate was unchanged, while the participation rate fell by 0.5 percentage points and the employment rate declined by 0.4 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 (September 2025 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment fell by 200 (-0.3%) while the labour force fell by 600 (-0.8%). As labour force fell faster than employment, the youth unemployment rate declined 0.4 percentage points to 12.7% in September 2025. The youth participation rate declined 0.6 percentage points to 65.4% while the youth employment rate decreased 0.3 percentage point to 57.1%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment rose by 2,100 (+0.6%) while the labour force rose by 1,500 (+0.4%). With employment rising faster than the labour force, the core aged unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 5.3% in September 2025. The core aged participation rate rose 0.3 percentage point to 86.5%, while the core aged employment rate rose 0.4 percentage points to 81.9%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force contracted by 1,100 (-0.9%) while employment fell by 400 (-0.3%). With labour force falling faster than employment, the older worker unemployment rate declined 0.3 percentage points to 5.1%. The older worker participation rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 32.7% and the employment rate for older workers edged down 0.1 percentage point to 31.1%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, September 2025 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment increased by 3,100 (+1.1%) for males while the labour force rose by 2,000 (+0.7%) from August. With employment rising faster than the labour force, the male unemployment rate declined by 0.4 percentage points to 6.5% in September. The male participation rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 65.7%, while the male employment rate increased 0.6 percentage points to 61.5%.
Females reported an employment decrease of 1,800 (-0.7%) and a labour force decline of 2,400 (-0.9%). With employment falling slower than labour force, the female unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 6.0% in September. The female participation rate fell by 0.6 percentage point to 56.8% and the female employment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points to 53.5%.
September employment growth was concentrated among core-aged workers and males, partially offset by lower employment for youth and older workers and females. Youth and older 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. Employment growth outpaced labour force growth for males, resulting in fewer unemployed and fewer males not in the labour force. Females reported a notable rise in the number of workers not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (September 2025 vs September 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with September 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among males. All age cohorts reported higher employment, while labour force growth was concentrated among youth and older workers. 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 labour force growth that outpaced employment 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 gender cohorts (January-September 2025 vs January-September 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-September 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among core-aged workers (whose population is also growing more than others). Employment growth slightly outpaced labour force growth for core-aged workers, with a small decline in unemployment. Youth and older workers reported employment declines that outpaced labour force decline. Unemployment increased marginally for youth and older age cohorts, as well as both genders. Males reported growth in labour force that slightly outpaced employment, resulting in marginally higher unemployment. Females reported an employment decline that outpaced labour force decline, generating an increase among females 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 (September 2025 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Employment growth in September was due to growth for private sector (+3,700, +1.1%), partially offset by a lower number of public sector workers (-1,800, -1.3%), and self-employed (-700, -1.2%).
Classified by industry, the largest growth was among accommodation/food services, professional/technical services, and manufacturing. The largest declines in September were reported in education, business support/call centres, transportation/warehousing and information/culture/recreation.
Class of Worker and Industry (September 2025 vs September 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to September 2024, there were employment gains for private sector workers (+7,400, +2.3%), and self-employment (+6,000, +12.1%), while public sector employment declined (-9,500, -6.5%).
Over the last 12 months, employment grew the most in professional/technical services. Employment declined the most in accommodation/food services, followed by education.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-September 2025 vs January-September 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-September 2024, gains were strongest for public sector workers (+3,000, +2.2%), with smaller gains in self employment (+2,200, +4.3%). There was a decline in private sector workers (-1,800, -0.5%).
Gains in employment were strongest in health care/social assistance, construction, and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in personal/repair services, accommodation/food services, and wholesale/retail.
Hours worked and employment (September 2025, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries, transportation/warehousing, and business support/call centres worked more than 40 hours per week in September 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, September 2025 vs September 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased by 4.1% from September 2024 to September 2025. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in finance/insurance/real estate, transportation/warehousing, and education. The largest declines in average weekly wages were in forestry/fishing/mining, followed by professional/technical services.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 2.2% from August 2024 to August 2025.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,202.62 in September 2025. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in public administration, utilities, and professional/technical services. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services, wholesale/retail and agriculture.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-September 2025 vs January-September 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased 4.8% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation, education, and health care/social assistance. Agriculture and forestry/fishing/mining reported the fastest declines in average weekly earnings in January-September 2025.
Average weekly earnings in the first nine 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-September 2025.
Regions (September 2025 vs September 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with September 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated in Halifax and Southern Nova Scotia. Southern Nova Scotia reported employment growth that outpaced labour force growth, with fewer persons among the unemployed and not in the labour force. North Shore region reported a larger labour force but a decline in employment compared to one year ago, translating into higher unemployment. Cape Breton reported lower population, labour force and employment, with a marginal increase in unemployment and a rise in those not in the labour force. The Annapolis Valley region reported declines in labour force that outpaced employment decline and a notable rise in those not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates declined in Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia compared to September 2024. The unemployment rates in Cape Breton, North Shore and Halifax rose compared to one year ago.
Participation rates were up in North Shore, Southern Nova Scotia, and Halifax, while they declined in Cape Breton and Annapolis Valley regions.
Employment rates were up in Southern Nova Scotia, with Halifax's employment rate unchanged compared to one year ago. Cape Breton, North Shore, and Annapolis Valley regions reported lower employment rates compared to one year ago.
Regions (January-September 2025 vs January-September 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-September 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 up 0.3% from August with seven provinces reporting growth in September 2025. The fastest growth was in New Brunswick, while the fastest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Compared with September 2024, the national labour force was up 1.7%, with every province except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting growth. Alberta reported the fastest increase.
Canada's employment increased by 0.3% in September 2025. Six provinces reported higher employment in September led by Alberta. Prince Edward Island reported the fastest decline compared to August.
Compared with September 2024, the national employment gain was 1.1% with all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Alberta.
The national unemployment rate was 7.1% in September 2025, up from 6.6% in September 2024. Québec had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in September 2025.
The national participation rate was 65.2% in September 2025. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.6% in September 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 4.1% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 3.1% with the fastest growth reported in Manitoba and the slowest in Prince Edward Island.
Comparing January-September 2025 with the same months in 2024, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings were up 4.8% - 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 (September 2025, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.7% in the seasonally adjusted September 2025 three month moving average. Outside of Halifax & East Hants the unemployment rate was 7.6%. 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 68.4% in the seasonally adjusted September 2025 three month moving average, while participation rates were 54.5% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.5% in the seasonally adjusted September 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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