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May 08, 2026LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, APRIL 2026 April labour force survey results reflect the period from April 12 to 18, 2026.
Ages 15+ (April 2026 vs March 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment increased by 700 (+0.1%) to 528,700 in April. This follows an increase of 0.7% (+3,900) in March.
The change in employment reflected an increase in full-time jobs (+4,700), partially offset by lower part-time employment (-3,900). 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 1,000 (-0.2%) to 564,500 in April 2026.
With employment growing and labour force contracting, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate fell 0.3 percentage points to 6.3% in April 2026.
Nova Scotia's participation rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 61.3%, while the employment rate was unchanged at 57.4%
Ages 15+ (April 2026 vs April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with April 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 9,500 (+1.0%), while the labour force rose by 8,200 (+1.5%), and employment rose by 12,400 (+2.4%). Compared to April 2025, the unemployment rate was down by 0.9 percentage points, while the participation rate was up 0.3 percentage points and the employment rate rose by 0.8 percentage points.
Ages 15+ (January-April 2026 vs January-April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-April 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 8,900 (+1.0%), while the labour force rose by 5,900 (+1.0%), and employment rose by 4,300 (+0.8%). Compared to January-April 2025, the unemployment rate was up by 0.2 percentage points, while the participation rate was unchanged and the employment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point.
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 (April 2026 vs March 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment increased by 600 (+0.9%), while the labour force increased by 400 (+0.5%). The youth unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 14.2% in April 2026. The youth participation rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 63.3% while the youth employment rate rose 0.5 percentage points to 54.3%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment rose by 2,400 (+0.7%) while the labour force edged up by 200 (+0.1%). With employment rising faster than labour force, the core aged unemployment rate fell 0.6 percentage points to 4.9% in April 2026. The core aged participation rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 88.2%, while the core aged employment rate rose 0.4 percentage points to 83.9%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force fell by 1,400 (-1.1%) while employment fell by 2,200 (-1.9%). With employment falling faster than labour force, the older worker unemployment rate rose 0.7 percentage points to 6.0%. The older worker participation rate declined 0.4 percentage point to 31.6% and the employment rate fell 0.6 percentage points to 29.7%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, April 2026 vs March 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment rose by 500 (+0.2%) for males while the labour force fell by 800 (-0.3%) from March. With employment rising and labour force falling, the male unemployment rate declined by 0.4 percentage points to 6.6% in April. The male participation rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 65.3%, while the male employment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 61.0%.
Females reported a marginal labour force decrease of 100 (-0.04%) and an employment increase of 200 (+0.1%). With employment growing and labour force contracting, the female unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 6.0% in April. The female participation and employment rates both edged down 0.1 percentage point to 57.4% and 53.9%, respectively.
Employment increases in April 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 males. Labour force decline was strongest for older workers and males, partially offset by gains among youth and core-aged workers. Population gains outpaced labour force gains for all age and gender cohorts except youth, the only cohort to report fewer persons not in the labour force. Unemployment declines were reported among youth and core-aged workers, with a larger decline among males than females.
Age and gender cohorts (April 2026 vs April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with April 2025, employment gains for core-aged workers more than offset the decline among youth and older workers. Employment gains were stronger for males than females compared to one year ago. Labour force growth was reported for those aged 25-54 and both males and females, partially offset by a decline among older workers compared to one year ago. Unemployment declines were also concentrated among core-aged workers, as well as males, with smaller declines for older workers and females. Population growth among older workers primarily translated into more persons not in the labour force, as labour force and employment declined. Males and females reported similar gains in population and labour force, but employment growth among males resulted in fewer unemployed, while females reported a stronger gain in those not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (January-April 2026 vs January-April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
In the first four months of 2026, labour force and employment gains were concentrated among core-aged and males, partially offset by declines among youth and females (who reported no change in the labour force). Population growth among females with no change 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. Unemployment increases were concentrated among those aged 15-24 and females.
Class of Worker and Industry (April 2026 vs March 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Employment increase in April was due to higher private (+500, +0.2%) and self-employment (+900, +1.6%), partially offset by a decline in public sector employment (-700, -0.5%).
Classified by industry, the largest increase was in professional/technical services, followed by construction and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in information/culture/recreation, forestry/fishing/mining health care/social assistance, and public administration.
Class of Worker and Industry (April 2026 vs April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to April 2025, employment increased for private sector workers (+14,400, +4.5%), and self-employment (+600, +1.1%), partially offset by lower public sector employment (-2,700, -1.9%).
Over the last 12 months, employment increased the most in professional/technical services, transportation/warehousing, and construction. Employment fell the most in wholesale/retail trade and business support/call centres.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-April 2026 vs January-April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-Apil 2025, employment increased for private sector (+4,300, +1.3%) and self-employment (+1,700, +3.1%), partially offset by a decline in public sector employment (-1,700, -1.2%).
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.
Hours worked and employment (April 2026, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries, as well as transportation/warehousing, business support/call centres and personal/repair services worked more than 40 hours per week in April 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, April 2026 vs April 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 3.1% from April 2025 to April 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in agriculture and personal/repair services, followed by construction and finance/insurance/real estate. Declines in average weekly wages were fastest in transportation/warehousing, utilities, and accommodation and food services.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 3.0% from March 2025 to March 2026.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,233.80 in April 2026. 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 wholesale/retail trade.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-April 2026 vs January-April 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 4.1% in the first four months of 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in agriculture and personal/repair services, followed by finance/insurance/real estate and education. Declines in average weekly wages were steepest in accommodation/food services and health care/social assistance.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,229.31 in January-April 2026. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in utilities, public administration, and professional/technical services. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services and wholesale/retail trade.
Regions (April 2026 vs April 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with April 2025, population growth was primarily in Halifax, with smaller gains reported in the North Shore, Annapolis Valley, and Cape Breton region (Southern Nova Scotia reported no population gains year-over-year). Cape Breton reported limited population gains with a decline in the labour force and no employment growth compared to one year ago, translating directly into more persons not in the labour force. In the North Shore region, employment gains outpaced labour force growth resulting in fewer unemployed. The Annapolis Valley region reported growth in the labour force but a decline in employment, resulting in an increase in unemployment and those not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported employment growth matching growth in the labour force, drawing on persons not in the labour force. Halifax's labour force growth outpaced population and employment gains, resulting in more unemployed but fewer persons not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates rose in the Annapolis Valley and Halifax, while they declined in Cape Breton and the North Shore compared to April 2025. Southern Nova Scotia reported no change in unemployment rates compared to one year ago.
Participation and employment rates rose in Southern Nova Scotia, North Shore, and Halifax, while they declined in Cape Breton and the Annapolis Valley.
Regions (January-April 2026 vs January-April 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-April 2025, population growth was primarily in Halifax, with smaller gains reported in the North Shore and Annapolis Valley regions. Cape Breton reported labour force decline outpacing employment decline, resulting in fewer unemployed and a rise in those not in the labour force. The North Shore region reported employment gains that outpaced labour force in the first four months of the year, reducing the number of unemployed. Employment decline outpaced labour force decline in the Annapolis Valley despite population growth, resulting in more persons unemployed and not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported no population growth, with growth in the labour force outpacing employment, resulting in a marginal increase in unemployment and fewer persons not in the labour force. Labour force gains outpaced employment in Halifax, resulting in more unemployed and a small increase in those not in the labour force.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force rose 0.1% from March, with growth concentrated in three provinces. The fastest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador, while the fastest increase was in Alberta.
Compared with April 2025, the national labour force was up 0.4%, with seven provinces reporting growth. Alberta reported the fastest increase compared to one year ago, while the fastest decline was in Québec.
Canada's employment was down 0.1% in April 2026, with seven provinces reporting decreases. The fastest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ontario reported the fastest growth.
Compared with April 2025, the national employment gain was 0.3% with seven provinces reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Alberta. Newfoundland and Labrador, Québec, and British Columbia were the only provinces to report year-over-year declines.
The national unemployment rate was 6.9% in April 2026, unchanged from April 2025. Manitoba had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in April 2026.
The national participation rate was 65.0% in April 2026. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.5% in April 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 3.1% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 4.6% with gains in all provinces.
In the first four months of 2026, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 4.1%. National average weekly earnings were up 4.0% in January-April 2026, with all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting growth.
Census Metropolitan Areas (April 2026, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 6.0% in the seasonally adjusted April 2026 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 of CMAs. In the Atlantic Provinces unemployment rates are typically higher outside of CMAs.
Halifax & East Hant's participation rate was 68.7% in the seasonally adjusted April 2026 three month moving average, while participation rates were 53.9% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.6% in the seasonally adjusted April 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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