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April 10, 2026LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, MARCH 2026 March labour force survey results reflect the period from March 15 to 21, 2026.
Ages 15+ (March 2026 vs February 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment increased by 3,900 (+0.7%) to 528,000 in March. This follows a decline of 0.1% (-600) in February.
The change in employment reflected a decrease for full-time jobs (-1,200), offset by higher part-time employment (+5,100). 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 1,600 (+0.3%) to 565,500 in March 2026.
With employment growing faster than labour force, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 6.6% in March 2026.
Nova Scotia's participation rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 61.4%, while the employment rate rose 0.4% to 57.4%
Ages 15+ (March 2026 vs March 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with March 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 8,800 (+1.0%), while the labour force rose by 7,600 (+1.4%), and employment rose by 4,500 (+0.9%). Compared to March 2025, the unemployment rate was up by 0.5 percentage points, while the participation rate increased by 0.2 percentage points and the employment rate was unchanged.
Ages 15+ (January-March 2026 vs January-March 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-March 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 8,700 (+1.0%), while the labour force rose by 5,100 (+0.9%), and employment rose by 1,600 (+0.3%). Compared to January-March 2025, the unemployment rate was up by 0.6 percentage points, while the participation rate was unchanged 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 (March 2026 vs February 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment increased 600 (+1.0%), while the labour force fell 800 (-1.1%). The youth unemployment rate fell 1.8 percentage points to 14.6% in March 2026. The youth participation rate fell 0.7 percentage points to 63.0% while the youth employment rate rose 0.5 percentage points to 53.8%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment rose by 4,800 (+1.4%) while the labour force rose by 2,700 (+0.7%). With employment rising faster than labour force, the core aged unemployment rate fell 0.6 percentage points to 5.5% in March 2026. The core aged participation rate increased 0.5 percentage points to 88.3%, while the core aged employment rate rose 1.1 percentage points to 83.5%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force fell by 500 (-0.4%) while employment fell by 1,500 (-1.3%). With employment falling faster than labour force, the older worker unemployment rate rose 0.9 percentage points to 5.3%. The older worker participation rate declined 0.2 percentage point to 32.0% and the employment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 30.3%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, March 2026 vs February 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment rose by 1,700 (+0.6%) for males while the labour force rose by 1,300 (+0.4%) from February. With employment rising faster than labour force, the male unemployment rate edged down by 0.2 percentage point to 7.0% in March. The male participation rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 65.5%, while the male employment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 60.9%.
Females reported a labour force increase of 200 (+0.1%) and an employment increase of 2,200 (+0.9%). With employment growing faster than labour force, the female unemployment rate fell by 0.7 percentage points to 6.2% in March. The female participation rate was unchanged at 57.5% and the female employment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points to 54.0%.
Employment increases in March was concentrated among core-aged workers (with a smaller gain for younger workers), partially offset by lower employment for older workers. Males and females both reported employment gains, with a larger gain for females. Labour force growth was strongest for core-aged workers and males, with a smaller gain among females, partially offset by labour force declines for older workers and youth. Population growth was limited among all age and gender cohorts, with no change for youths. Unemployment was down for all age and sex cohorts with the exception of older workers, where employment declines outpaced the decline in labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (March 2026 vs March 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with March 2025, employment gains for core-aged and older workers more than offset the decline among youth. Employment gains were concentrated among males compared to one year ago. Labour force growth was reported for those aged 25-54 and both males and females, while youth and older workers reported a smaller labour force compared to one year ago. Unemployment increases were concentrated among youths and core-aged workers, as well as both males and females. Population growth among older workers primarily translated into more persons not in the labour force, as the labour force shrank and employment gains were limited for older workers. Females reported stronger population gains than males, though this translated primarily into more persons not in the labour force, while males reported stronger labour force growth and fewer persons not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (January-March 2026 vs January-March 2025, seasonally adjusted)
In the first three months of 2026, labour force and employment gains were concentrated among core-aged and older workers, as well as males, partially offset by declines among youth and females. Population growth among females with a decline in the labour force resulted in a larger number of persons not in the labour force, along with lower employment and higher unemployment. Males reported labour force growth that outpaced population growth, resulting in fewer persons not in the labour force. All age and gender cohorts reported higher unemployment, year-to-date.
Class of Worker and Industry (March 2026 vs February 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Employment increase in March was due to higher private (+3,000, +0.9%) and public sector employment (+1,600, +1.2%), partially offset by a decline in self-employment (-600, -1.1%).
Classified by industry, the largest declines were among manufacturing workers. The largest increases in March were in professional/technical services, forestry/fishing/mining, and information/culture/recreation.
Class of Worker and Industry (March 2026 vs March 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to March 2025, employment increased for private sector workers (+3,700, +1.1%), and self-employment (+2,000, +3.7%), partially offset by lower public sector employment (-1,300, -0.9%).
Over the last 12 months, employment increased the most in professional/technical services, transportation/warehousing, and health care/social assistance. Employment fell the most in wholesale/retail trade and accommodation/food services.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-March 2026 vs January-March 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-March 2025, employment increased for self-employment (+2,100, +3.8%), and the private sector (+900, +0.3%) partially offset by a decline in public sector employment (-1,400 , -1.0%).
Over the last 12 months, employment increased the most in health care/social assistance, professional/technical services, and transportation/warehousing. Employment fell the most in wholesale/retail trade and accommodation/food services.
Hours worked and employment (March 2026, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries, as well as transportation/warehousing, professional/technical services, and business support/call centres worked more than 40 hours per week in March 2026.
Note that some data on those working few hours or more than 40 hours in utilities, forestry/fishing/mining and agriculture were suppressed.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, March 2026 vs March 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 2.6% from March 2025 to March 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in agriculture, followed by personal/repair services and education. Declines in average weekly wages were highest in information/culture/recreation, accommodation/food services, and utilities.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 1.7% from February 2025 to February 2026.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,214.95 in March 2026. 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 and wholesale/retail trade.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-March 2026 vs January-March 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 4.5% in the first three months of 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in agriculture, followed by personal/repair services. Declines in average weekly wages were steepest in accommodation/food services and health care/social assistance.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,227.82 in January-March 2026. 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 and wholesale/retail trade.
Regions (March 2026 vs March 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with March 2025, population growth was primarily in Halifax, with smaller gains reported in the North Shore and Annapolis Valley regions and no growth in Cape Breton or Southern Nova Scotia. Labour force growth was concentrated in Halifax with smaller gains in Southern Nova Scotia and North Shore. Halifax reported population and labour force gains that outpaced employment, resulting in a rise in the unemployed, with no change to labour force. Cape Breton and Annapolis Valley reported both labour force and employment declines, with notable rises in those not in the labour force. North Shore reported higher employment with a smaller gain in labour force, resulting in fewer unemployed and those not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported marginal labour force growth with no population growth, drawing from those not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates rose in the Annapolis Valley and Halifax, while they declined in Cape Breton, North Shore and Southern Nova Scotia compared to March 2025.
Participation rates rose in Southern Nova Scotia, North Shore, and Halifax, while they declined in Cape Breton, and the Annapolis Valley.
Employment rates were up in North Shore and Southern Nova Scotia compared to one year ago.
Regions (January-March 2026 vs January-March 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-March 2025, population growth was primarily in Halifax, with smaller gains reported in the North Shore and Annapolis Valley regions, with a marginal decline in Cape Breton. Labour force and employment growth were reported primarily in Halifax with smaller gains in Southern Nova Scotia and North Shore. Cape Breton's labour force decline has outpaced the decline in employment, resulting in fewer unemployed and more persons not in the labour force. North Shore region reported an increase in employment that outpaced labour force growth, resulting in fewer unemployed. Employment decline outpaced labour force decline in the Annapolis Valley, amid an increase in population and more persons not in the labour force, with a smaller increase in unemployment. Southern Nova Scotia reported labour force growth with a small employment gain, resulting in more unemployed but fewer persons not in the labour force.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force rose 0.1% from February, with six provinces reporting increases (no change in British Columbia) in March 2026. The fastest decline was in Québec, while the fastest increase was in Saskatchewan.
Compared with March 2025, the national labour force was up 0.4%, with every province except Québec, Ontario and British Columbia reporting growth. Alberta reported the fastest increase compared to one year ago.
Canada's employment rose 0.1% in March 2026, with seven provinces reporting increases. The fastest decline was in British Columbia. Manitoba reported the fastest growth.
Compared with March 2025, the national employment gain was 0.4% with seven provinces reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Alberta. Québec, Ontario and British Columbia were the only provinces to report year-over-year declines, led by British Columbia.
The national unemployment rate was 6.7% in March 2026, down from 6.8% in March 2025. Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in March 2026.
The national participation rate was 64.9% in March 2026. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.6% in March 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 2.6% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 4.6% with gains in all provinces.
In the first three months of 2026, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 4.5%. National average weekly earnings were up 3.8% in January-March 2026, with all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting growth.
Census Metropolitan Areas (March 2026, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 6.1% in the seasonally adjusted March 2026 three month moving average. Outside of Halifax & East Hants the unemployment rate was 7.9%. 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 68.5% in the seasonally adjusted March 2026 three month moving average, while participation rates were 54.2% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.4% in the seasonally adjusted March 2026 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 49.9% 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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