August 08, 2025LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, JULY 2025 July labour force survey results reflect the period from July 13 to 19, 2025.
Ages 15+ (July 2025 vs June 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment rose 1,800 (+0.3%) to 525,400 in July following a decline of 3,400 (-0.6%) in the previous month.
The change in employment reflected increases for both full-time (+1,600) and part-time (+200) 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 increased by 3,500 (+0.6%) to 564,700 in July 2025.
With employment rising more slowly than labour force, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 7.0% in July 2025.
Nova Scotia's labour force participation rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 61.8% and the employment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 57.5% in July 2025.
Ages 15+ (July 2025 vs July 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with July 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 9,400 (+1.0%), while the labour force increased 11,000 (+2.0%), and employment increased by 10,500 (+2.0%). Compared to July 2024, unemployment rate was unchanged, the participation rate increased 0.6 percentage points, and the employment rate increased 0.6 percentage points.
Ages 15+ (January-July 2025 vs January-July 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-July 2024, Nova Scotia's population over the age of 15 increased by 14,200 (+1.6%), while the labour force grew by 3,600 (+0.6%), and employment increased by 3,200 (+0.6%). The unemployment rate was unchanged, while the participation rate fell by 0.6 percentage points and the employment rate fell by 0.5 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 (July 2025 vs June 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment grew 800 (+1.2%) and the labour force increased by 1,700 (+2.2%). As employment grew more slowly than labour force, the youth unemployment rate rose 0.9 percentage points to 14.0% in July 2025. The youth participation rate rose 1.5 percentage points to 67.8% while the youth employment rate increased 0.8 percentage points to 58.4%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment fell by 1,500 (-0.4%) while the labour force fell by 900 (-0.2%). With employment falling faster than labour force, the core aged unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 5.9% in July 2025. The core aged participation rate declined 0.3 percentage points to 87.2%, while the core aged employment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 82.0%.
Among older workers (aged 55+) the labour force increased by 2,700 (+2.2%) while employment rose by 2,600 (+2.2%). With labour force rising at the same rate as employment, the older worker unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5%. The older worker participation rate increased 0.7 percentage points to 32.6% and the employment rate for older workers increased 0.6 percentage points to 30.8%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, July 2025 vs June 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment increased by 1,200 (+0.4%) for males while the labour force increased by 4,300 (+1.5%) from June. With employment rising slower than labour force, the male unemployment rate increased 0.9 percentage points to 8.4% in July. The male participation rate increased 0.9 percentage points to 66.0%, while the male employment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 60.4%.
Females reported an employment increase of 700 (+0.3%) and a labour force decline of 800 (-0.3%). With employment rising while labour force fell, the female unemployment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 5.4% in July. The female participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage point to 57.8% and the female employment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 54.7%.
Labour force growth outpaced employment increases among younger and older workers as well as males, leading to higher unemployment among these groups. Core aged workers saw employment decline faster than labour force, resulting in higher unemployment. Females saw the only decline in unemployment, as employment rose while labour force fell. Youth, older and male workers saw declines in the population not in the labour force.
Age and sex cohorts (July 2025 vs July 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with July 2024, employment and labour force grew across all age and sex cohorts. For core aged and male workers, labour force growth outpaced employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Males reported notably stronger gains in labour force and employment compared to females over the same month last year. With slower growth in labour force and employment, females reported notable growth in those not in the labour force.
Age and sex cohorts (January-July 2025 vs January-July 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-July 2024, labour force and employment growth was concentrated among core-aged workers (whose population is also growing more than others). Labour force growth was slightly faster than growth in employment for core-aged workers, resulting in slightly higher unemployment. Youth and older workers reported employment declines that outpaced labour force decline. Unemployment increased for all age cohorts and among males, with females reporting the only decline in unemployment. Males reported growth in labour force outpacing employment, resulting in higher unemployment. Females reported a labour force decline and an increase in employment, generating a smaller number of those reporting being unemployed. The number of females not in the labour force increased faster than the number of males not in the labour force.
Class of Worker and Industry (July 2025 vs June 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Higher employment in July was due to increases among self-employed (+2,600, +5.0%) and public sector workers (+500, +0.4%). The number of private sector workers decreased (-1,200, -0.4%).
Classified by industry, the largest declines were among wholesale/retail, followed by forestry/fishing/mining and transportation/warehousing. The strongest growth in July was among professional/technical services, health care/social assistance(includes daycares), education, business support/call centers, and finance/insurance/real estate.
Class of Worker and Industry (July 2025 vs July 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to July 2024, there were employment gains for private sector workers (+6,600, +2.0%), self employment (+3,100, 6.1%), and public sector workers (+900, 0.6%).
Over the last 12 months, employment grew the most among transportation/warehousing, finance/insurance/real estate, and health care/social assistance(includes daycares). Employment declined in accommodation/food services, personal/repair services, and public administration.
Class of Worker and Industry (January-July 2025 vs January-July 2024, seasonally adjusted)
Compared to January-July 2024, gains were strongest for public sector workers (+5,700, +4.2%), with smaller gains in self employment (+1,200, +2.2%). There was a decline in private sector workers (-3,600, -1.1%).
Gains in employment were strongest in health care/social assistance, construction, and transportation/warehousing. The largest declines were in personal/repair services, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, and finance/insurance/real estate.
Hours worked and employment (July 2025, unadjusted)
Compared to the provincial average, a larger share of workers in goods producing industries and transportation/warehousing worked more than 40 hours per week in July 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, July 2025 vs July 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased by 3.7% from July 2024 to July 2025. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation, education, utilities, health care/social assistance and finance/insurance/real estate. The largest declines in average weekly wages were in manufacturing, followed by business support/call centres and forestry/fishing/mining.
The increase in Nova Scotia's all items consumer price index was 1.6% from June 2024 to June 2025.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,205.03 in July 2025. The highest average weekly earnings (both full and part time employees) were reported in utilities, professional/technical services, and public administration. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation/food services and agriculture.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-July 2025 vs January-July 2024)
Average weekly earnings increased 5.3% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were in information/culture/recreation, accommodation/food services, and wholesale/retail. Agriculture reported the fastest decline in average weekly earnings in January-July 2025.
Average weekly earnings in the first seven 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-July 2025.
Regions (July 2025 vs July 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with July 2024, labour force increases were concentrated in Cape Breton, North Shore and Halifax. All three of those regions also reported labour force growth that outpaced employment growth, though Cape Breton reported the smallest gap between labour force and employment growth and the smallest growth in the number of unemployed. Annapolis Valley reported falling labour force and employment compared to one year ago, and a large increase in the number of people not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia labour force growth was outpaced by employment growth resulting in lower unemployment. Halifax saw an increase in the number of people not in the labour force, and the strongest population growth among regions.
Unemployment rates declined in Cape Breton, Annapolis Valley and Southern Nova Scotia. The unemployment rates in North Shore and Halifax rose compared to one year ago.
Participation rates were up in Cape Breton and the North Shore, and unchanged in Southern Nova Scotia, and Halifax. Annapolis Valley reported the only decline in participation rates. Employment rates were up in Cape Breton, North Shore and Southern Nova Scotia.
Regions (January-July 2025 vs January-July 2024, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-July 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 and Southern regions have resulted in more people 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 down 0.1% from June with eight provinces reporting growth in July 2025. The fastest growth was in Prince Edward Island, while the fastest decline was in Québec.
Compared with July 2024, the national labour force was up 2.0%, with every province reporting increases. Alberta reported the fastest increase while Prince Edward Island reported the slowest.
Canada's employment decreased by 0.2% in July 2025. Six provinces reported higher employment in July led by Prince Edward Island. The fastest decline was in Alberta.
Compared with July 2024, the national employment gain was 1.5% with all provinces reporting growth. The fastest growth was in Manitoba and the slowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national unemployment rate was 6.9% in July 2025, up from 6.4% in July 2024. Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest unemployment rate in July 2025.
The national participation rate was 65.2% in July 2025. The highest participation rate was in Alberta while the lowest was in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The national employment rate was 60.7% in July 2025. Saskatchewan reported the highest employment rate while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest.
In unadjusted results, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings grew by 3.7% year-over-year. National average weekly earnings were up 2.9% with the fastest growth reported in Saskatchewan, followed by Nova Scotia. Prince Edward Island was the only province to report a year-over-year decline in average weekly earnings.
Comparing January-July 2025 with the same months in 2024, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings were up 5.3% - 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 (July 2025, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.4% in the seasonally adjusted July 2025 three month moving average. Outside of Halifax & East Hants the unemployment rate was 8.3%. 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 68.2% in the seasonally adjusted July 2025 three month moving average, while participation rates were 55.1% across the rest of the province.
Halifax & East Hants reported an employment rate of 64.5% in the seasonally adjusted July 2025 three month moving average, while the employment rate was 50.5% 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)