The Economics and Statistics Division maintains archives of previous publications for accountability purposes, but makes no updates to keep these documents current with the latest data revisions from Statistics Canada. As a result, information in older documents may not be accurate. Please exercise caution when referring to older documents. For the latest information and historical data, please contact the individual listed to the right.

<--- Return to Archive

For additional information relating to this article, please contact:

Thomas Storring	Director – Economics and Statistics
Tel: 902-424-2410	Email: thomas.storring@novascotia.ca

June 05, 2026
LABOUR FORCE SURVEY, MAY 2026

                              

MONTH OVER MONTH (May 2026 vs April 2026, seasonally adjusted)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 4,600 (+0.8%) to 569,100
• Employment decreased 200 (-0.04%) to 528,500
• The number of unemployed persons increased 4,700 (+13.1%) to 40,500
• The unemployment rate increased 0.8 percentage points to 7.1%

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 3,800 (+0.02%) to 22,603,900
• Employment increased 87,800 (+0.4%) to 21,121,500
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 84,000 (-5.4%) to 1,482,400
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 6.6%

In Halifax and East Hants Census Metropolitan Area, (3-month moving average) 

• The labour force decreased 1,500 (-0.5%) to 315,800
• Employment decreased 700 (-0.2%) to 297,700
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 800 (-4.2%) to 18,100
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 5.7%

YEAR OVER YEAR (May 2026 vs May 2025)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 6,200 (+1.1%)
• Employment increased 2,300 (+0.4%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 3,700 (+10.1%)
• The unemployment rate increased 0.6 percentage points

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 58,500 (+0.3%)
• Employment increased 147,100 (+0.7%)
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 88,600 (-5.6%)
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.4 percentage points

In Halifax and East Hants Census Metropolitan Area, (3-month moving average) 

• The labour force increased 4,200 (+1.3%)
• Employment increased 3,800 (+1.3%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 400 (+2.3%)
• The unemployment rate was unchanged

Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0287-01  Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months; Table 14-10-0459-01  Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted

<--- Return to Archive