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

MONTH OVER MONTH (July 2026 vs June 2026, seasonally adjusted)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 3,000 (+0.5%) to 573,600
• Employment increased 4,600 (+0.9%) to 537,900
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 1,500 (-4.0%) to 35,700
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 6.2%

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 60,500 (+0.3%) to 22,669,400
• Employment increased 75,100 (+0.4%) to 21,214,800
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 14,500 (-1.0%) to 1,454,700
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percentage points to 6.4%

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

• The labour force decreased 800 (-0.3%) to 314,200
• Employment decreased 1,100 (-0.4%) to 296,400
• The number of unemployed persons increased 300 (+1.7%) to 17,800
• The unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 5.7%

YEAR OVER YEAR (July 2026 vs July 2025)

In Nova Scotia,

• The labour force increased 9,000 (+1.6%)
• Employment increased 12,400 (+2.4%)
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 3,300 (-8.5%)
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.7 percentage points

In Canada, 

• The labour force increased 91,200 (+0.4%)
• Employment increased 196,500 (+0.9%)
• The number of unemployed persons decreased 105,200 (-6.7%)
• The unemployment rate decreased 0.5 percentage points

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

• The labour force increased 3,100 (+1.0%)
• Employment increased 2,200 (+0.7%)
• The number of unemployed persons increased 800 (+4.7%)
• The unemployment rate increased 0.2 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