2019 Marks Second Year of Strong Employment Growth

Nova Scotia experienced the fastest employment growth and labour force growth since 2004 last year.

The unemployment rate also averaged 7.2 per cent in 2019, the lowest unemployment rate since the early 1970s.

Almost half of the annual job growth is attributable to improved employment for youth.

“The attraction and retention of youth continues to be a priority for our government,” said Premier Stephen McNeil, Minister responsible for Youth. “The positive results we are seeing in youth employment and population growth are part of why I am optimistic about the future of our province. We will continue to support our youth and employers by making investments in programs like the Graduate to Opportunity program, which has attached 1,000 young Nova Scotians to the workforce.”

The youth aged 15-24 unemployment rate fell from an average of 15.6 per cent in 2018 to 13.2 per cent in 2019, the lowest annual youth unemployment rate since 2007. Youth employment is up 8.1 per cent in 2019 while the labour force increased 5 per cent, the fastest annual rise in the youth labour force and employment in records dating back to 1976.

“We are pleased that many of our younger Nova Scotians are finding more employment opportunities and are choosing to stay and work in the province,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Karen Casey.

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For more information visit: https://novascotia.ca/finance/statistics/news.asp?id=15447