November 07, 2025LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, OCTOBER 2025 October labour force survey results reflect the period from October 12 to 18, 2025.
Ages 15+ (October 2025 vs September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment declined 4,400 (-0.8%) to 521,000 in October, following an increase of 1,300 (+0.2%) in the previous month.
The change in employment reflected a decline for full-time (-800) as well as in part-time (-3,500) 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 decreased by 1,600 (-0.3%) to 558,700 in October 2025.
With employment declining more than labour force, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate increased 0.5 percentage points to 6.7% in October 2025.
Nova Scotia's labour force participation rate edged down 0.2 percentage points to 61.0% while the employment rate declined 0.5 percentage points to 56.9% in October 2025.
Ages 15+ (October 2025 vs October 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with October 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 7,900 (+0.9%), while the labour force increased 3,700 (+0.7%), and employment increased by 800 (+0.2%). Compared to October 2024, the unemployment rate was up by 0.4 percentage points, while the participation rate declined by 0.1 percentage point and the employment rate declined by 0.4 percentage points.
Ages 15+ (January-October 2025 vs January-October 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with the first ten months of 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 12,300 (+1.4%), while the labour force grew by 3,600 (+0.7%), and employment increased by 3,200 (+0.6%). The unemployment rate was unchanged, while the participation rate and the employment rate both fell by 0.4 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 (October 2025 vs September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment fell by 2,900 (-4.3%) while the labour force fell by 2,200 (-2.9%). As employment fell faster than labour force, the youth unemployment rate rose 1.4 percentage points to 14.1% in October 2025. The youth participation rate declined 2.0 percentage points to 63.4% while the youth employment rate decreased 2.5 percentage points to 54.6%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment fell by 3,500 (-1.0%) while the labour force declined by 1,700 (-0.5%). With employment falling faster than the labour force, the core aged unemployment rate rose 0.5 percentage point to 5.8% in October 2025. The core aged participation rate declined 0.5 percentage point to 86.0%, while the core aged employment rate fell 0.9 percentage points to 81.0%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force increased by 2,200 (+1.8%) while employment rose by 2,000 (+1.7%). With labour force and employment rising with same pace, the older worker unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.1%. The older worker participation rate rose 0.6 percentage points to 33.3% and the employment rate for older workers grew 0.5 percentage points to 31.6%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, October 2025 vs September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment decreased by 4,600 (-1.7%) for males while the labour force declined by 1,100 (-0.4%) from September. With employment declining faster than the labour force, the male unemployment rate increased by 1.2 percentage points to 7.7% in October. The male participation rate declined 0.3 percentage points to 65.4%, while the male employment rate fell 1.1 percentage points to 60.4%.
Females reported an employment increase of 100 (+0.04%) and a labour force decline of 400 (-0.2%). With a slight rise in employment and falling labour force, the female unemployment rate declined by 0.3 percentage points to 5.7% in October. The female participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 56.7% and the female employment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 53.4%.
October employment decline was concentrated among youth, core-aged workers and males, partially offset by higher employment for older workers and females. Youth, core-aged workers, and males reported employment declines that outpaced the decline in labour force, resulting in higher unemployed among these age cohorts and a higher number of people not in the labour force. Labour force growth outpaced employment growth for older workers, resulting in more unemployed and fewer older workers not in the labour force. Females reported a decline in unemployment and a rise in the number of workers not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (October 2025 vs October 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with October 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among older workers and males. Youth, core-aged workers, and females reported lower employment, while labour force declined among core-aged workers and females. Core-aged workers reported a notable increase in population and those not in the labour force. Youth reported labour force growth while employment declined. Youth were the only age cohort to report population decline. Males reported higher unemployment and fewer males not in the labour force. Females labour force and employment fell, with increases in population, unemployment, and females not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (January-October 2025 vs January-October 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-October 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among core-aged workers (whose population is also growing more than others). Employment grew with the same pace of labour force growth for core-aged workers, with no change in unemployment. Youth reported employment declines that outpaced labour force decline and older workers employment and labour force declined at the same pace. Unemployment increased for youth while it increased marginally for older age cohorts, as well as both genders. Males reported growth in labour force that slightly outpaced employment, resulting in marginally higher unemployment. Females reported an employment decline that outpaced labour force decline, generating an increase among females unemployed. The number of females not in the labour force increased faster than the number of males not in the labour force, despite similar increases in population.
Class of Worker and Industry (October 2025 vs September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Employment decline in October was due to decline for private sector (-6,000, -1.8%), partially offset by a higher number of public sector workers (+600, +0.4%), and self-employed (+1,100, +2.0%).
Classified by industry, the largest growth was among business support/call centres and health/social assistance. The largest declines in October were reported in construction, information/culture/recreation, and forestry/fishing/mining.
Class of Worker and Industry (October 2025 vs October 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to October 2024, there were employment gains for private sector workers (+800, +0.2%), and self-employment (+5,400, +10.5%), while public sector employment declined (-5,400, -3.8%).
Over the last 12 months, employment grew the most in wholesale/retail trade and business support/call centres. Employment declined the most in accommodation/food services, followed by education.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-October 2025 vs January-October 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-October 2024, gains were strongest for self employment (+2,500, +4.9%), with smaller gains in public sector workers (+2,200, +1.6%) . There was a decline in private sector workers (-1,500, -0.5%).
Gains in employment were strongest in health care/social assistance, construction, and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in personal/repair services, accommodation/food services, and education.
Hours worked and employment (October 2025, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries, transportation/warehousing, information/culture/recreation, and business support/call centres worked more than 40 hours per week in October 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, October 2025 vs October 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased by 5.4% from October 2024 to October 2025. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in finance/insurance/real estate, education, and information/culture/recreation. The largest declines in average weekly wages were in forestry/fishing/mining, followed by professional/technical services.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 2.7% from September 2024 to September 2025.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,222.89 in October 2025. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in public administration, forestry/fishing/mining, and professional/technical services. 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-October 2025 vs January-October 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased 4.9% in the first ten months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation, education, and finance/insurance/real estate. Agriculture and forestry/fishing/mining reported the fastest declines in average weekly earnings in January-October 2025.
Average weekly earnings in the first ten 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-October 2025.
Regions (October 2025 vs October 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with October 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated in Halifax and Southern Nova Scotia. Southern Nova Scotia reported employment growth that outpaced labour force growth, with fewer persons among the unemployed and not in the labour force. North Shore region reported no change in labour force but a decline in employment compared to one year ago, translating into higher unemployment. Cape Breton reported lower population, labour force and employment, with a marginal decline in unemployment and a rise in those not in the labour force. The Annapolis Valley region reported declines in labour force that outpaced employment decline and a notable rise in those not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates declined in Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia compared to October 2024. The unemployment rates in Cape Breton, North Shore and Halifax rose compared to one year ago.
Participation rates declined in all regions except Southern Nova Scotia.
Employment rates were up in Southern Nova Scotia compared to one year ago. Cape Breton, North Shore, Annapolis Valley, and Halifax regions reported lower employment rates compared to one year ago.
Regions (January-October 2025 vs January-October 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-October 2024, labour force and employment increases were concentrated in Cape Breton, the North Shore, and Halifax, all of which reported stronger growth in labour force than employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Lower labour force and employment in the Annapolis Valley resulted in more people not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported a higher employment on a smaller labour force, resulting in fewer unemployed and a higher number of persons 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 0.1% from September with six provinces reporting declines in October 2025. The fastest growth was in Newfoundland and Labrador, while the fastest declines were in Prince Edward Island and Manitoba.
Compared with October 2024, the national labour force was up 1.7%, with every province except Prince Edward Island reporting growth. Alberta reported the fastest increase.
Canada's employment increased by 0.3% in October 2025. Five provinces reported higher employment in October led by Newfoundland and Labrador. Nova Scotia reported the fastest decline compared to September.
Compared with October 2024, the national employment gain was 1.4% with all provinces reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Alberta.
The national unemployment rate was 6.9% in October 2025, up from 6.6% in October 2024. Québec had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in October 2025.
The national participation rate was 65.3% in October 2025. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.8% in October 2025. Alberta and Saskatchewan reported the highest employment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest.
In unadjusted results, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 5.4% year-over-year, the fastest gain among provinces. National average weekly earnings were up 2.9% with the slowest growth in Saskatchewan.
Comparing January-October 2025 with the same months in 2024, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings were up 4.9% - fastest among provinces. National average weekly earnings were up 3.1% year-to-date with the slowest growth in Prince Edward Island.
Census Metropolitan Areas (October 2025, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.8% in the seasonally adjusted October 2025 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 CMAs. In the Atlantic Provinces unemployment rates are typically higher outside CMAs.
Halifax & East Hant's participation rate was 68.0% in the seasonally adjusted October 2025 three month moving average, while participation rates were 54.3% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.1% in the seasonally adjusted October 2025 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 50.3% 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)