Youth Unemployment Lowest on Record Since 1976

Youth unemployment in Nova Scotia reached a record-setting low in June, according to Statistics Canada.

New data released by Statistics Canada today, July 5, shows the youth unemployment rate at 9.8 per cent, the lowest since the monthly Labour Force Survey began in 1976.

The youth employment rate was 60.6 per cent in June. The last two months have reported the highest youth employment rates in the monthly Labour Force Survey records.

Across all age categories, the unemployment rate was 6.6 per cent in June, a slight rise compared to 6.5 per cent in May. Unemployment rates have remained below seven per cent in every month of 2019.

“We are pleased to note low unemployment rates and especially the improvements for Nova Scotia’s younger workers,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Karen Casey. “Government will continue to build on these successes by supporting youth to find meaningful careers through Graduate to Opportunity and other government programs.”

Youth employment gains are outpacing labour force growth in 2019. Youth employment increased by 6,300 while the labour force grew by 3,700, comparing the first half of 2019 with the same months of 2018.

To date in 2019, the youth unemployment rate has averaged 12.5 per cent. There hasn’t been a lower six-month average for youth unemployment since the summer of 2008.

More information on recent labour market results for Nova Scotia is available at https://www.novascotia.ca/finance/statistics/news.asp?id=14958 .