gov.ns.ca - Nova Scotia Canada - Government of Nova Scotia

MONTH OVER MONTH (February 2026 vs January 2026, seasonally adjusted)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 400 (+0.1%) to 563,900
• Employment decreased 600 (-0.1%) to 524,100
• The number of unemployed persons increased 1,000 (+2.6%) to 39,800
• The unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 7.1%

In Canada, 

• The labour force decreased 27,200 (-0.1%) to 22,551,500
• Employment decreased 83,900 (-0.4%) to 21,037,300
• The number of unemployed persons increased 56,700 (+3.9%) to 1,514,200
• The unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 6.7%

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

• The labour force increased 2,000 (+0.6%) to 314,600
• Employment increased 900 (+0.3%) to 295,500
• The number of unemployed persons increased 1,100 (+6.1%) to 19,100
• The unemployment rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 6.1%

YEAR OVER YEAR (February 2026 vs February 2025)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 4,400 (+0.8%)
• Employment increased 2,000 (+0.4%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 2,400 (+6.4%)
• The unemployment rate increased 0.4 percentage points

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 82,200 (+0.4%)
• Employment increased 51,800 (+0.2%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 30,400 (+2.0%)
• The unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points

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

• The labour force increased 6,800 (+2.2%)
• Employment increased 3,700 (+1.3%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 3,100 (+19.4%)
• The unemployment rate increased 0.9 percentage points

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