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

MONTH OVER MONTH (April 2026 vs March 2026, seasonally adjusted)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force decreased 1,000 (-0.2%) to 564,500
• Employment increased 700 (+0.1%) to 528,700
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 1,600 (-4.3%) to 35,800
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 6.3%

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 33,500 (+0.1%) to 22,600,100
• Employment decreased 17,700 (-0.1%) to 21,033,700
• The number of unemployed persons increased 51,200 (+3.4%) to 1,566,400
• The unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%

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

• The labour force increased 1,300 (+0.4%) to 317,300
• Employment increased 1,600 (+0.5%) to 298,400
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 300 (-1.6%) to 18,900
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage points to 6.0%

YEAR OVER YEAR (April 2026 vs April 2025)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 8,200 (+1.5%)
• Employment increased 12,400 (+2.4%)
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 4,200 (-10.5%)
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.9 percentage points

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 79,900 (+0.4%)
• Employment increased 67,000 (+0.3%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 12,900 (+0.8%)
• The unemployment rate was unchanged

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

• The labour force increased 6,700 (+2.2%)
• Employment increased 5,300 (+1.8%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 1,400 (+8.0%)
• The unemployment rate increased 0.4 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