New Brunswick, July 2026 - Job market snapshot

Get a snapshot of key facts about the state of New Brunswick's labour market in the past month.

In July, employment grew by a modest 200 jobs (+0.0%) in New Brunswick compared to the previous month. New job growth this month is entirely due to new part-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) was down by 1,200 people this month (-0.3%). An increase in employment and a smaller labour force this month has led to a lower unemployment rate, 7.0% compared to 7.3% last month.

New Brunswick's job market by the numbers

Working population

406,200

Up 0.0% since June

Unemployment rate

7%

Down -0.3 pts since June

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0287-01 - Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months

Industries in focus

Utilities

Number of jobs increased 2.3%

June4,400

July4,500

Employment in the utilities industry increased by a slight 200 (+4.7%) over the last 12 months, including a gain of 100 (+2.3%) in the last month.

Information, culture and recreation

Number of jobs increased 1.5%

June13,200

July13,400

Employment in the information, culture and recreation industry jumped by 3,400 (+34.0%) over the last 12 months, including a gain of 200 (+1.5%) in the last month.

Construction

Number of jobs decreased -0.6%

June32,700

July32,500

Employment in the construction industry dropped by 200 jobs (-0.6%) over the last month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q1 2026 was 4.0%, which was 1.1p.p. higher than the previous quarter and which was 0.9p.p. higher than the same quarter a year prior.

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0355-02 - Employment by industry, monthly, seasonally adjusted (x 1,000)

Unemployment rate by region

Campbellton–Miramichi
8.2%
Edmundston–Woodstock
4.9%
Fredericton–Oromocto
7.1%
Moncton–Richibucto
7.7%
Saint John–St. Stephen
5.0%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Edmundston–Woodstock and highest in Campbellton–Miramichi.

Source: Labour Market Indicators: By province, territory and economic region, unadjusted for seasonality

A closer look at some regions

Edmundston–Woodstock

40,500 people employed

Up 14.1% since July 2025

Employment is at a historical high in Edmundston-Woodstock. Jobs in the region have grown 5,000 (+14.1%) over the last 12 months. Full-time employment rose by 3,400 over the last year, while part-time employment increased by 1,600. The labour force (those working or looking for work) jumped by 5,200 (+13.9%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate grew slightly to 4.9% in July from 4.8% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Moncton–Richibucto

137,400 people employed

Down -1.4% since July 2025

The number of jobs in Moncton-Richibucto decreased by 2,000 (-1.4%) over the last 12 months. The decline in employment this year is entirely due to loss of full-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) fell by 900 (-0.6%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate was up to 7.7% in July from 6.9% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Fredericton–Oromocto

78,800 people employed

Down -0.1% since July 2025

The number of jobs in Fredericton-Oromocto declined by 100 (-0.1%) over the last 12 months. Full-time employment rose by 1,900 over the last year, while part-time employment slid by 1,900. The labour force (those working or looking for work) is currently at its all-time largest at 84,800, which is 1,000 (+1.2%) higher than a year ago. The region's unemployment rate hiked to 7.1% in July from 5.8% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-08-07

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