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August 07, 2026LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, JULY 2026 July labour force survey results reflect the period from July 14 to 20, 2026.
Ages 15+ (July 2026 vs June 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment increased by 4,600 (+0.9%) to 537,900 in July. This follows an increase of 0.9% (+4,800) in June.
The change in employment reflected an increase in full-time (+700) and part-time employment (+3,800). 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 3,000 (+0.5%) to 573,600 in July 2026.
With employment rising faster than labour force, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate fell 0.3 percentage points to 6.2% in July 2026.
Nova Scotia's participation rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 62.0%, while the employment rate increased 0.4 percentage points to 58.1%
Ages 15+ (July 2026 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with July 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 11,500 (+1.3%), while the labour force rose by 9,000 (+1.6%), and employment rose by 12,400 (+2.4%). Compared to July 2025, the unemployment rate was down 0.7 percentage points, while the participation rate was up 0.2 percentage points, and the employment rate increased by 0.6 percentage points.
Ages 15+ (January-July 2026 vs January-July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-July 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 9,800 (+1.1%), while the labour force rose by 7,000 (+1.3%), and employment rose by 6,200 (+1.2%). Compared to January-July 2025, the unemployment, participation, and employment rates were all up 0.1 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 (July 2026 vs June 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment decreased by 500 (-0.7%), while the labour force increased by 500 (0.7%). The youth unemployment rate rose 1.3 percentage points to 11.8% in July 2026. The youth participation rate rose 0.4 percentage points to 65.6% while the youth employment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 57.9%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment rose 1,500 (+0.4%) while the labour force increased by 700 (+0.2%). With employment rising faster than labour force, the core aged unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 5.6% in July 2026. The core aged participation rate was unchanged at 88.5%, while the core aged employment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 83.6%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force rose by 1,900 (+1.5%) while employment rose by 3,600 (+3.1%). With employment rising faster than labour force, the older worker unemployment rate fell 1.6 percentage points to 4.7%. The older worker participation rate was up 0.5 percentage points to 32.2% and the employment rate was up 0.9 percentage points to 30.7%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, July 2026 vs June 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment rose by 1,400 (+0.5%) for males while the labour force fell by 300 (-0.1%) from June. With employment rising and labour force falling, the male unemployment rate fell 0.6 percentage points to 6.2% in July. The male participation rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 65.3%, while the male employment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 61.2%.
Females reported a labour force increase of 3,300 (+1.2%) and an employment increase of 3,100 (+1.2%). With employment and labour force growing at the same rate, the female unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.2% in July. The female participation rate increased 0.6 percentage points to 58.8% while the employment rate increased 0.5 percentage points to 55.1%.
Employment increased across all age and sex cohorts except younger workers in July, with the largest increase among females and older workers. Labour force gains were strongest for older workers and females, with smaller gains among younger workers and a decline for males. Employment and labour force gains outpacing population growth resulted in fewer persons not in the labour force among all age and sex cohorts except males. Unemployment declined month-over-month for older and core-aged workers, as well as males.
Age and gender cohorts (July 2026 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with July 2025, there were employment gains across all age and sex cohorts. Employment gains were highest among core-aged workers and males. Labour force growth was reported for those aged 25-54 and females, with a smaller gain for males, partially offset by a decline among younger and older workers compared to one year ago. Unemployment declined for every age and sex cohort with the exception of females. Population growth among older workers and males primarily translated into more persons not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (January-July 2026 vs January-July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
In the first seven months of 2026, labour force and employment gains were concentrated among core-aged workers and males. Population growth among females outpacing growth in the labour force resulted in a larger number of persons not in the labour force, along with higher unemployment. Males reported labour force growth that outpaced population growth, resulting in slightly less unemployment and fewer persons not in the labour force. Unemployment increases were concentrated among females.
Class of Worker and Industry (July 2026 vs June 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Employment increase in July was due to higher private (+4,300, +1.3%) and public sector (+1,000, +0.7%) employment, partially offset by a decrease in self-employment (-700, -1.2%).
Classified by industry, the largest declines were in professional/technical services and transportation/warehousing. The largest increases were in information/culture/recreation and business support/call centres.
Class of Worker and Industry (July 2026 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to July 2025, employment increased for private sector workers (+11,600, +3.5%), and self-employment (+2,700, +5.0%), partially offset by lower public sector employment (-2,000, -1.4%).
Employment increased the most in professional/technical services, transportation/warehousing, and health care/social assistance. Employment fell the most in information/culture/recreation and public administration.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-July 2026 vs January-July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-July 2025, employment increased for private sector (+5,600, +1.7%) and self-employment (+2,600, +4.9%), partially offset by a decline in public sector employment (-2,100, -1.5%).
In the first seven months of 2026, 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 (July 2026, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries, as well as transportation/warehousing and personal/repair services worked more than 40 hours per week in July 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, July 2026 vs July 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 3.0% from July 2025 to July 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in forestry/fishing/mining and construction. Declines in average weekly wages were fastest in information/culture/recreation, business support/call centres, and education.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 4.7% from June 2025 to June 2026.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,240.80 in July 2026. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in utilities, forestry/fishing/mining, and professional/technical services. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services, business support/call centres, agriculture, and wholesale/retail trade.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-July 2026 vs January-July 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 3.8% in the first seven months of 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in agriculture (which is subject to large swings) and personal/repair services, followed by finance/insurance/real estate and construction. Declines in average weekly wages were steepest in accommodation/food services.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,230.99 in January-July 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, wholesale/retail trade, and business support/call centres.
Regions (July 2026 vs July 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with July 2025, there was population growth in every region, with the largest growth in Halifax. Cape Breton reported a decline in the labour force and no change in employment compared to one year ago, translating into more persons not in the labour force. In the North Shore region, employment gains outpacing growth in the labour force resulted in fewer unemployed and those not in the labour force. The Annapolis Valley region reported growth in the labour force that outpaced population and employment growth, resulting in an increase in unemployment and fewer persons not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported employment growth outpacing growth in the labour force, drawing on persons not in the labour force and reducing unemployment. Halifax's labour force growth was significantly smaller than population growth while outpacing employment growth, leading to higher unemployment and more people not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates rose in Annapolis Valley and Halifax, while they declined in Cape Breton, the North Shore and Southern regions compared to July 2025.
Participation and employment rates rose in the North Shore, Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia, while they declined in Cape Breton and Halifax.
Regions (January-July 2026 vs January-July 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-July 2025, population growth was primarily in Halifax, with smaller gains reported in Annapolis Valley, North Shore and Cape Breton 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 seven months of the year, reducing the number of unemployed. Employment rose more slowly than labour force in the Annapolis Valley, resulting in more persons unemployed and fewer not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported no population growth, with growth in the labour force outpaced by increasing employment, resulting in fewer persons unemployed or not in the labour force. Labour force gains outpaced employment in Halifax, resulting in more unemployed and those not in the labour force.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force rose 0.3% from June to July, with growth in seven provinces. The fastest decline was in Prince Edward Island, while the fastest increase was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Compared with July 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 Newfoundland and Labrador.
Canada's employment was up 0.4% in July 2026, with six provinces reporting increases led by Nova Scotia. The fastest decline was in Prince Edward Island.
Compared with July 2025, the national employment gain was 0.9% with six provinces reporting growth, led by Alberta. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the fastest decline compared to one year ago.
The national unemployment rate was 6.4% in July 2026, down from 6.9% in July 2025. Manitoba had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in July 2026.
The national participation rate was 65.1% in July 2026. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.9% in July 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 3.0% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 2.9% with gains in all provinces.
In the first seven months of 2026, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 3.8%. National average weekly earnings were up 3.7% in January-July 2026, with all provinces reporting growth.
Census Metropolitan Areas (July 2026, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.7% in the seasonally adjusted July 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 67.7% in the seasonally adjusted July 2026 three month moving average, while participation rates were 55.9% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 63.8% in the seasonally adjusted July 2026 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 51.5% 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 14-10-0459-01 Labour force characteristics by census metropolitan area, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0462-01 Labour force characteristics by economic region, three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality; 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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