Newfoundland and Labrador, September 2026 - Job market snapshot

Get a snapshot of key facts about the state of Newfoundland and Labrador's labour market in the past month.

Employment in Newfoundland and Labrador increased by 1,800 jobs (+0.7%) over the last month. New job growth this month is entirely due to new full-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) grew by 3,300 people this month (+1.2%). The province's unemployment rate was up slightly to 9.1% in September from 8.6% the previous month.

Newfoundland and Labrador's job market by the numbers

Working population

246,800

Up 0.7% since August

Unemployment rate

9.1%

Up 0.5 pts since August

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

Industries in focus

Manufacturing

Number of jobs increased 3.5%

August8,500

September8,800

Job growth in the manufacturing industry has been positive each month since July 2026. Employment in the sector increased by a slight 300 jobs (+3.5%) over the last month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q2 2026 was 1.7%, which was 0.4p.p. lower than the previous quarter and which was 1.1p.p. higher than the same quarter a year prior.

Health care and social assistance

Number of jobs increased 1.7%

August47,800

September48,600

Employment in the health care and social assistance industry jumped by a slight 800 jobs (+1.7%) over the last month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q1 2026 was 1.1%, which was 0.7p.p. lower than the previous quarter and which was 4.1p.p. lower than the same quarter a year prior.

Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas

Number of jobs decreased -2.5%

August15,800

September15,400

Employment in the forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas industry fell by 400 jobs (-2.5%) over the last month.

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

Unemployment rate by region

Avalon Peninsula
7.0%
South Coast–Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central-Bonavista Bay
9.4%
West Coast–Northern Peninsula–Labrador
8.6%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Avalon Peninsula and highest in South Coast–Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central-Bonavista Bay.

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

A closer look at some regions

Avalon Peninsula

155,300 people employed

Up 2.5% since September 2025

Employment is at a historical high in Avalon Peninsula. Jobs in the region have grown 3,800 (+2.5%) over the last 12 months. New job growth this year is entirely due to new full-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) rose by a modest 3,200 (+2.0%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate declined to 7.0% in September from 7.6% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Notre Dame-Central-Bonavista Bay

53,700 people employed

Down -1.6% since September 2025

The number of jobs in South Coast-Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central-Bonavista Bay declined by a moderate 900 (-1.6%) over the last 12 months. Full-time employment declined over the last year. The labour force (those working or looking for work) fell by a steep 2,500 (-4.0%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate shrunk to 9.4% in September from 11.8% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

West Coast–Northern Peninsula–Labrador

45,600 people employed

Down -1.5% since September 2025

The number of jobs in West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador decreased by 700 (-1.5%) 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) was down by 1,900 (-3.7%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate fell to 8.6% in September from 10.6% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-10-09

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