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

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

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 4,600 (+0.8%) to 569,100
• Employment decreased 200 (-0.04%) to 528,500
• The number of unemployed persons increased 4,700 (+13.1%) to 40,500
• The unemployment rate increased 0.8 percentage points to 7.1%

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 3,800 (+0.02%) to 22,603,900
• Employment increased 87,800 (+0.4%) to 21,121,500
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 84,000 (-5.4%) to 1,482,400
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 6.6%

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

• The labour force decreased 1,500 (-0.5%) to 315,800
• Employment decreased 700 (-0.2%) to 297,700
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 800 (-4.2%) to 18,100
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 5.7%

YEAR OVER YEAR (May 2026 vs May 2025)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 6,200 (+1.1%)
• Employment increased 2,300 (+0.4%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 3,700 (+10.1%)
• The unemployment rate increased 0.6 percentage points

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 58,500 (+0.3%)
• Employment increased 147,100 (+0.7%)
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 88,600 (-5.6%)
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.4 percentage points

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

• The labour force increased 4,200 (+1.3%)
• Employment increased 3,800 (+1.3%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 400 (+2.3%)
• The unemployment rate was unchanged

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