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February 06, 2026LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, JANUARY 2026 January labour force survey results reflect the period from January 11 to 17, 2025.
Ages 15+ (January 2026 vs December 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment grew 500 (+0.1%) to 524,700 in January, following a revised December employment level that was unchanged from November (524,200).
The change in employment reflected an increase for full-time (+5,900), partially offset by lower part-time (-5,300) 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 rose by 3,200 (+0.6%) to 563,500 in January 2026.
With labour force growing faster than employment, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate rose 0.5 percentage points to 6.9% in January 2026.
Nova Scotia's labour force participation rate increased 0.4 percentage points to 61.4% while the employment rate was unchanged at 57.1% in January.
Ages 15+ (January 2026 vs January 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 8,800 (+1.0%), while the labour force rose by 3,200 (+0.6%), and employment decreased by 1,600 (-0.3%). Compared to January 2025, the unemployment rate was up by 0.8 percentage points, while the participation rate declined by 0.2 percentage points and the employment rate declined by 0.8 percentage points.
Age Cohorts (January 2026 vs December 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment declined by 1,700 (-2.6%), while the labour force rose by 200 (+0.3%). The youth unemployment rate rose 2.7 percentage points to 14.9% in January 2026. The youth participation rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 62.9% while the youth employment rate decreased 1.4 percentage points to 53.5%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment rose by 3,600 (+1.1%) while the labour force rose by 2,500 (+0.7%). With employment rising faster than the labour force, the core aged unemployment rate declined 0.4 percentage points to 5.2% in January 2026. The core aged participation rate increased 0.5 percentage points to 86.3%, while the core aged employment rate rose 0.8 percentage points to 81.8%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force rose by 500 (+0.4%) while employment fell by 1,400 (-1.1%). With employment falling and labour force rising, the older worker unemployment rate rose 1.4 percentage points to 6.9%. The older worker participation rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 34.0% and the employment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 31.6%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, January 2026 vs December 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment rose by 500 (+0.2%) for males while the labour force rose by 2,500 (+0.9%) from December. With labour force growing faster than employment, the male unemployment rate rose by 0.6 percentage points to 7.3% in January. The male participation rate rose 0.6 percentage points to 65.9%, while the male employment rate rose 0.1 percentage point to 61.1%.
Females reported a labour force increase of 800 (0.3%) and a marginal employment decline of 100 (-0.04%). With the labour force rising while employment fell, the female unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 6.5% in January. The female participation rate edged up 0.1 percentage points to 57.0% and the female employment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 53.3%.
January employment gain was entirely concentrated among core-aged workers, partially offset by lower employment for youth and older workers. Males reported employment growth than offset declines among females. Labour force growth was strongest for core-aged workers and males, with smaller gains for other age cohorts and female workers. Employment gains for core-aged workers outpaced labour force growth, resulting in a decline in unemployment and those not in the labour force. Unemployment increased among youth and older workers where employment declined on a rising labour force. Males reported a larger increase in unemployment than females, and also a notable drop in those not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (January 2026 vs January 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January 2025, labour force and employment gains were reported among core-aged and older workers, as well as males. Population growth for the core-aged cohort was not matched by labour force growth, resulting in a notable increase in those not in the labour force. Employment decline outpaced labour force decline among youth and females, resulting in higher unemployment and an increase in those not in the labour force, especially among females.
Class of Worker and Industry (January 2026 vs December 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Employment growth in January was due to growth for self-employed (+1,800, +3.3%) and public sector (300, +0.2%), partially offset by a lower number of private sector workers (-1,600, -0.5%).
Classified by industry, the largest contributions to growth were among education and health care/social assistance. The largest decline in January by far was in wholesale/retail trade.
Class of Worker and Industry (January 2026 vs January 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January 2025, employment declined for private sector workers (-2,700, -0.8%), and public sector (-1,200, -0.8%), partially offset by higher self-employment (+2,400, +4.5%).
Over the last 12 months, employment fell the most in wholesale/retail trade and accommodation/food services. Employment increased the most in health care/social assistance, personal/repair services, and business support/call centres.
Hours worked and employment (January 2026, 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 January 2026.
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, January 2026 vs January 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 6.3% from January 2025 to January 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in agriculture (where weekly earnings were notably lower than average in January 2025), followed by personal/repair services, information/culture/recreation, and finance/insurance/real estate. Declines in average weekly wages were reported in forestry/fishing/mining, accommodation/food services and health care/social assistance.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 3.1% from December 2024 to December 2025.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,238.38 in January 2026. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in public administration, professional/technical services, and utilities. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services, wholesale/retail trade, and business support/call centres.
Regions (January 2026 vs January 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January 2025, labour force and employment growth was reported primarily in Halifax with smaller gains in Southern Nova Scotia. Southern Nova Scotia reported labour force growth with no population growth, drawing from those not in the labour force. Halifax reported population and labour force gains that outpaced employment, resulting in a rise in both the unemployed and those not in the labour force. Cape Breton and Annapolis Valley reported labour force declines that outpaced employment declines, with fewer unemployed but notable rises in those not in the labour force. North Shore reported the smallest declines in labour force and employment, with population growth largely translating into those not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates rose in all regions except the Annapolis Valley compared to January 2025.
Participation rates rose in Southern Nova Scotia and Halifax, while they declined in Cape Breton, the Annapolis Valley and North Shore regions.
Employment rates were lower in all regions except Southern Nova Scotia compared to one year ago.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force fell 0.5% from December, due to declines in four provinces in January 2026. The fastest decline was in Ontario, while the fastest increase was in Prince Edward Island.
Compared with January 2025, the national labour force was up 0.4%, with every province except Ontario reporting growth. Alberta reported the fastest increase compared to one year ago.
Canada's employment fell 0.1% in January 2026 despite nine provinces reporting growth. Ontario was the only province to report lower employment compared to the previous month. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the fastest growth.
Compared with January 2025, the national employment gain was 0.6% with eight provinces reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Alberta. Ontario and Nova Scotia were the only provinces to report year-over-year declines (both -0.3%).
The national unemployment rate was 6.5% in January 2026, down from 6.7% in January 2025. Québec had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in January 2026.
The national participation rate was 65.0% in January 2026. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.8% in January 2026. Alberta reported the highest employment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest.
In unadjusted results, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 6.3% year-over-year, the fastest gain among provinces. National average weekly earnings were up 3.0% with gains in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador.
Census Metropolitan Areas (January 2026, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.8% in the seasonally adjusted January 2026 three month moving average. Outside of Halifax & East Hants the unemployment rate was 7.8%. In central and western provinces, unemployment rates in Census Metropolitan Areas are similar to or higher than unemployment rates outside of CMAs. In the Atlantic Provinces unemployment rates are typically higher outside of CMAs.
Halifax & East Hant's participation rate was 68.0% in the seasonally adjusted January 2026 three month moving average, while participation rates were 54.4% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.0% in the seasonally adjusted January 2026 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 50.2% 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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