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September 04, 2026LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, AUGUST 2026 August labour force survey results reflect the period from August 14 to 20, 2026.
Ages 15+ (August 2026 vs July 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment increased by 2,600 (+0.5%) to 540,500 in August. This follows an increase of 0.9% (+4,600) in July.
The change in employment reflected an increase in full-time (+2,800) employment as there was a decrease in part-time employment (-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 2,100 (+0.4%) to 575,700 in August 2026.
With employment rising faster than labour force, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 6.1% in August 2026.
Nova Scotia's participation rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 62.1%, while the employment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 58.3%
Ages 15+ (August 2026 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with August 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 12,100 (+1.3%), while the labour force rose by 15,400 (+2.7%), and employment rose by 16,600 (+3.2%). Compared to August 2025, the unemployment rate was down 0.4 percentage points, while the participation rate was up 0.8 percentage points, and the employment rate increased by 1.0 percentage point.
Ages 15+ (January-August 2026 vs January-August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-August 2025, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 10,100 (+1.1%), while the labour force rose by 8,100 (+1.4%), and employment rose by 7,500 (+1.4%). Compared to January-August 2025, both the participation and employment rates were up 0.2 percentage points while the unemployment rate was unchanged.
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 (August 2026 vs July 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment increased by 1,500 (+2.2%), while the labour force increased by 200 (+0.3%). The youth unemployment rate fell 1.7 percentage points to 10.1% in August 2026. The youth participation rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 65.5% while the youth employment rate rose 1.1 percentage points to 59.0%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment rose 2,000 (+0.6%) while the labour force increased by 1,900 (+0.5%). With employment rising slightly faster than labour force, the core aged unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 5.5% in August 2026. The core aged participation rate grew 0.4 percentage points to 88.9% and the core aged employment rate rose 0.4 percentage points to 84.0%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force was unchanged while employment declined by 1,000 (-0.8%). With employment declining faster than labour force, the older worker unemployment rate increased 0.8 percentage points to 5.5%. The older worker participation rate was unchanged from 32.2% and the employment rate was down 0.3 percentage points to 30.4%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, August 2026 vs July 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment rose by 1,700 (+0.6%) for males while the labour force rose by 2,500 (+0.8%) from July. With employment rising slower than the labour force, the male unemployment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 6.5% in August. The male participation rate rose 0.5 percentage points to 65.8%, while the male employment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 61.5%.
Females reported a labour force decline of 300 (-0.1%) and an employment increase of 900 (+0.4%). With employment growing faster than the labour force, the female unemployment rate declined 0.4 percentage points to reach 5.8% in August. The female participation rate decreased 0.1 percentage points to 58.7% while the employment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 55.3%.
Age and gender cohorts (August 2026 vs July 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Employment increased across all age and gender cohorts except older workers in August, with the largest increase among core age workers. Labour force gains were strongest for males and core age workers, with smaller gains among youth. Employment and labour force gains outpacing population growth resulted in fewer persons not in the labour force among all males and core age workers. Unemployment declined month-over-month for females, core age workers, and youth workers.
Age and gender cohorts (August 2026 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with August 2025, there were employment gains across all age and gender cohorts except older workers. Employment gains were highest among core-aged workers and females. The fastest labour force growth was reported for those aged 25-54 and females. Unemployment declined for youth workers, males and females. Population growth among older workers and males primarily translated into more persons not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (January-August 2026 vs January-August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
In the first eight months of 2026, labour force and employment gains were concentrated among core-aged workers and males. Population growth among females and those ages 55+ 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 less unemployment and slightly fewer persons not in the labour force. Unemployment increases were concentrated among females.
Class of Worker and Industry (August 2026 vs July 2026, seasonally adjusted)
The employment increase in August was driven by increases among private sector (+1,400, +0.4%) and self-employed (+1,900, +3.3%) workers. Employment for public sector workers decreased (-700, -0.5%).
Classified by industry, the largest increases were in manufacturing, education, and personal/repair services. The largest declines were in health care and social assistance and accommodation/food.
Class of Worker and Industry (August 2026 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to August 2025, employment increased for private sector workers (+14,100, +4.3%), and the self-employed (+2,900, +5.2%). Employment declined for public sector workers (-400, -0.3%).
Employment increased the most in professional/technical services, transportation/warehousing, education, and personal/repair. Employment fell the most in information/culture/recreation and public administration.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-August 2026 vs January-August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-August 2025, employment increased for private sector workers (+6,600, +2.0%) and the self-employed (+2,700, +4.9%), with declines among those in the public sector (-1,800, -1.3%).
In the first eight 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 followed by accommodation/food services.
Hours worked and employment (August 2026, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries, as well as transportation/warehousing worked more than 40 hours per week in August 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, August 2026 vs August 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 4.4% from August 2025 to August 2026. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in forestry/fishing/mining and personal/repair services. Average weekly earnings declined the most in information/culture/recreation, followed by a small decline in health care and social assistance.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 5.0% from July 2025 to July 2026.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,243.00 in August 2026. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in professional/technical services, utilities, public administration, and forestry/fishing/mining. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services, agriculture, business support/call centres, and wholesale/retail.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-August 2026 vs January-August 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 3.9% in the first eight 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 construction, finance/insurance/real estate. Declines in average weekly wages were steepest in accommodation/food services.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,232.49 in January-August 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 (August 2026 vs August 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with August 2025, there was population growth in every region, with the largest growth in Halifax. The Annapolis Valley region reported the fastest growth in its 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 a decline in its labour force and employment compared to one year ago. In Halifax, employment gains outpacing growth in the labour force resulted in fewer unemployed, however labour force growth was significantly smaller than population growth leading to more people not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates rose in Annapolis Valley only and was unchanged for Southern Nova Scotia compared to one year ago.
Participation and employment rates rose in Cape Breton, North Shore, Annapolis Valley, with slight declines in both for Southern Nova Scotia. Halifax's participation rate declined slightly faster than its employment rate.
Regions (January-August 2026 vs January-August 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-August 2025, population growth was primarily in Halifax, with smaller gains reported in Annapolis Valley, North Shore and Cape Breton regions. Labour force gains outpaced employment in Halifax, resulting in more unemployed and those not in the labour force. 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 eight 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.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force fell 0.2% from July to August, with growth in six provinces. The fastest decline was in Alberta, while the fastest increase was in New Brunswick.
Compared with August 2025, the national labour force was up 0.4%, with eight provinces reporting growth. Nova Scotia reported the fastest increase compared to one year ago, while the fastest decline was in Québec.
Canada's employment was down 0.2% in August 2026, with five provinces reporting increases led by New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. The fastest declines were in Prince Edward Island and Québec.
Compared with August 2025, the national employment gain was 1.0% with nine provinces reporting growth, led by Alberta. Québec reported the only decline.
The national unemployment rate was 6.4% in August 2026, down from 7.1% in August 2025. Manitoba had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in August 2026.
The national participation rate was 65.0% in August 2026. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.8% in August 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 4.4% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 2.0% with gains in all provinces.
In the first eight months of 2026, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 3.9%. National average weekly earnings were up 3.5% in January-August 2026, with all provinces reporting growth.
Census Metropolitan Areas (August 2026, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.5% in the seasonally adjusted August 2026 three month moving average. Outside of Halifax & East Hants the unemployment rate was 7.3%. 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 67.8% in the seasonally adjusted August 2026 three month moving average, while participation rates were 56.0% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.1% in the seasonally adjusted August 2026 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 52.0% 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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