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June 06, 2025LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, MAY 2025 May labour force survey results reflect the period from May 11 to 17, 2025.
Ages 15+ (May 2025 vs April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment rose by 10,600 (+2.1%) to 527,000 in May following a decline of 8,500 (-1.6%) in the previous month.
The change in employment reflected increases for both full-time (+6,400) and part-time (+4,100) employment. 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 7,400 (+1.3%) to 563,900 in May 2025.
With employment rising faster than labour force, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate declined 0.7 percentage points to 6.5% in May 2025.
[**Correction: a previous version had incorrectly reported Nova Scotia's May 2025 unemployment rate as 7.5%. The correct value for Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted May 2025 unemployment rate is 6.5%**]
Nova Scotia's labour force participation rate rose 0.8 percentage points to 61.8% and the employment rate rose 1.2 percentage points to 57.8% in May 2025.
Ages 15+ (May 2025 vs May 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with May 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 12,700 (+1.4%), while the labour force increased 7,600 (+1.4%), and employment increased by 7,100 (+1.4%). The unemployment, participation and employment rates were unchanged compared to May 2024.
Ages 15+ (January-May 2025 vs January-May 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-May 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 15,800 (+1.8%), while the labour force grew by 1,800 (+0.3%), and employment increased by 1,600 (+0.3%). The unemployment rate was unchanged, while the participation rate fell by 0.9 percentage points and the employment rate fell by 0.8 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 (May 2025 vs April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment was up 5,300 (+8.3%) while the labour force rose by 4,300 (+5.8%). As employment rose faster than the labour force, the youth unemployment rate declined 1.9 percentage points to 11.7% in May 2025. The youth participation rate rose 3.8 percentage points to 66.9% while the youth employment rate was rose 4.6 percentage points to 59.1%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment rose 5,000 (+1.5%) while the labour force rose 3,000 (+0.8%). With employment rising faster than the labour force, the core aged unemployment rate fell 0.6 percentage points to 5.7% in May 2025. The core aged participation rate was up 0.6 percentage points to 87.6% and the core aged employment rate was up 1.1 percentage points to 82.6%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force declined by 100 (-0.1%) while employment increased by 400 (+0.3%). With employment rising on a contracting labour force, the older worker unemployment rate declined 0.4 percentage points to 5.6%. The older worker participation rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 32.4% and the employment rate for older workers edged up 0.1 percentage point to 30.6%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, May 2025 vs April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment rose by 3,700 (+1.4%) for males while the labour force increased by 2,500 (+0.9%) from April. With employment rising faster than labour force, the male unemployment rate declined 0.5 percentage points to 7.5% in May. The male participation rose by 0.5 percentage points to 65.3%, while the employment rate rose by 0.8 percentage points to 60.4%.
Females reported an employment increase of 6,900 (+2.8%) and a labour force increase of 4,900 (+1.8%). With employment rising faster than labour force, the female unemployment rate fell 0.8 percentage points to 5.5% in May. The female participation rate rose by 1.0 percentage point to 58.4% and the female employment rate rose by 1.5 percentage points to 55.2%.
All age cohorts reported higher employment in May, with the strongest results for youth and core-aged workers. Employment growth exceeded changes in the labour force for all age cohorts, resulting in lower unemployment across age groups. There was a notable decrease for those not in the labour force for those aged 15-24. Labour force and employment grew more for females compared to males, also reflecting stronger declines in unemployment and those not in the labour force.
Age and sex cohorts (May 2025 vs May 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with May 2024, employment growth for core-aged workers (whose population has also grown the most over this period) and youth was partially offset by declines among older workers. The youth cohort was the only age group to report lower unemployment compared to one year ago. Females reported slower labour force and employment growth compared males over the past 12 months. Males reported notably stronger gains in labour force, and to a lesser extent, employment compared to females. Unemployment rose for males and declined for females compared to one year ago.
Age and sex cohorts (January-May 2025 vs January-May 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-May 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among core-aged workers (whose population is also growing more than others). Employment growth was faster than growth in the labour force for core-aged workers. Youth reported employment declines that outpaced labour force decline, and older worker reported roughly equal labour force and employment declines. Unemployment declines among core-aged workers were partially offset by increases among youth workers. Males reported growth in labour force outpacing employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Females reported a labour force decline that outpaced the decline in employment, generating a smaller number of those reporting being unemployed. The number of females not in the labour force increased by more than the numbers of males not in the labour force.
Class of Worker and Industry (May 2025 vs April 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Employment gains in May were due to growth in private sector workers (14,700, +4.6%). Public sector employment declined in May (-1,400, -1.0%), as did the number of self employed (-2,700, -4.8%). Statistics Canada noted that public sector employment declines may reflect the end of temporary employment associated with the federal election.
Classified by industry, the strongest growth compared to April was for wholesale/retail, followed by accommodation/food services and construction. The only declines were among education and utilities in May.
Class of Worker and Industry (May 2025 vs May 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to May 2024, there were employment gains for private sector workers (+1,400 or +0.4%), public sector workers (+4,200 or +3.1%) and the self-employed (+1,400 or +2.7%).
Over the last 12 months, employment was up the most for health/social assistance, followed by construction, business support/call centers and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in personal/repair services and education.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-May 2025 vs January-May 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-May 2024, gains were strongest for public sector workers (+7,900 or +5.9%), with smaller gains in self employment (+1,000 or +2.0%). There was a decline in private sector workers (-7,300 or -2.2%).
Gains in employment were strongest in health care/social assistance, construction, and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in personal/repair services, manufacturing, and wholesale/retail.
Hours worked and employment (May 2025, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in forestry/fishing/mining, construction, manufacturing, transportation/warehousing, professional/technical services, business support/call centers and education worked more than 40 hours per week in May 2025.
Note that some data on those working few hours in utilities, forestry/fishing/mining and agriculture were suppressed.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, May 2025 vs May 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased by 3.7% from May 2024 to May 2025. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in business support/call centers, information/culture/recreation, health care/social assistance and wholesale/retail. The largest declines in average weekly wages were in agriculture, followed by forestry/fishing/mining.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 1.3% from April 2024 to April 2025.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,185.10 in May 2025. 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 agriculture.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-May 2025 vs January-May 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased 5.9% in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation, business support/call centers, and wholesale/retail. Agriculture reported the fastest decline in average weekly earnings in January-May 2025.
Average weekly earnings in the first five months of 2025 were highest in utilities, public administration, and professional/technical services. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services, and agriculture in January-May 2025.
Regions (May 2025 vs May 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with May 2024, labour force increases were concentrated in Cape Breton and North Shore, with smaller gains in Halifax. Halifax, North Shore and Cape Breton labour force growth outpaced employment growth. Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia reported falling labour force and employment compared to one year ago. Halifax saw the strongest population growth, and a large increase in the number of people not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates declined in Cape Breton and Southern Nova Scotia, and were unchanged in Halifax. The unemployment rates in North Shore and the Annapolis Valley rose compared to one year ago.
Participation and employment rates were up in Cape Breton and North Shore, and down in Annapolis Valley, Southern Nova Scotia and Halifax compared to one year ago.
Regions (January- May 2025 vs January-May 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-May2024, labour force increases were concentrated in Cape Breton and the North Shore, with smaller gains in Halifax. Cape Breton reported the largest contribution to employment growth for the period, followed by Halifax and North Shore regions. All three of these regions reported stronger growth in labour force than employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Lower labour force and employment in the Annapolis Valley and Southern regions have resulted in more people not in the labour force. Halifax saw the strongest population growth, and a large increase in the number of people not in the labour force.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force was up 0.2% from April with seven provinces reporting growth in May 2025. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick reported the fastest growth while the largest decline was in Prince Edward Island.
Compared with May 2024, the national labour force was up 2.1%, with every province reporting increases. Alberta reported the fastest increase while New Brunswick reported the slowest.
Canada's employment increased by 0.04% in May 2025. Six provinces reported higher employment in May, led by Nova Scotia. The fastest decline was in Prince Edward Island. Compared with May 2024, the national gain was 1.4% with the fastest growth in Alberta. The slowest growth was in Prince Edward Island.
The national unemployment rate was 7.0% in May 2025, up from 6.3% in May 2024. Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in May 2025.
The national participation rate was 65.3% in May 2025. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.8% in May 2025. Saskatchewan reported the highest employment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest.
In unadjusted results, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 3.7% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 3.3% with the fastest growth reported in Manitoba and Ontario (followed by Nova Scotia). Newfoundland and Labrador was the only province to report a year-over-year decline in average weekly earnings.
Comparing January-May of 2025 with the same months in 2024, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings were up 5.9% - fastest among provinces. National average weekly earnings were up 3.1% year-to-date with the slowest growth in Alberta.
Census Metropolitan Areas (May 2025, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax unemployment rate was 5.6% in the seasonally adjusted May 2025 three month moving average. Outside of Halifax 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 CMAs. In the Atlantic Provinces unemployment rates are typically higher outside CMAs.
Halifax's participation rate was 68.6% in the seasonally adjusted May 2025 three month moving average, while participation rates were 54.2% across the rest of the province.
Halifax reported an employment rate of 64.7% in the seasonally adjusted May 2025 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 50.0% 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 14-10-0380-01 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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