Newfoundland and Labrador, May 2025 - Job market snapshot

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

Job growth in Newfoundland and Labrador has been positive each month since March 2025. Employment in the province inclined by a slight 400 jobs (+0.2%) over the last month. New job growth this month is entirely due to new part-time employment. The province's unemployment rate grew to 9.7% in May from 9.6% the previous month.

Newfoundland and Labrador's job market by the numbers

Working population

248,500

Up 0.2% since April

Unemployment rate

9.7%

Up 0.1 pts since April

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

Industries in focus

Wholesale and retail trade

Number of jobs increased 6.8%

April38,500

May41,100

In May, employment hiked by a sharp 2,600 jobs (+6.8%) in the wholesale and retail trade industry compared to the previous month.

Manufacturing

Number of jobs decreased -15.2%

April10,500

May8,900

Employment in the manufacturing industry has fallen by a steep 1,600 jobs (-15.2%) over the last month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q4 2024 was 0.7%, 0.6p.p. lower than the previous quarter and 0.3p.p. lower than the same quarter a year prior.

Information, culture and recreation

Number of jobs increased 24.2%

April6,200

May7,700

In May, employment rose by a sharp 1,500 jobs (+24.2%) in the information, culture and recreation industry compared to the previous month.

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

Unemployment rate by region

Avalon Peninsula
8.7%
South Coast–Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central-Bonavista Bay
17.0%
West Coast–Northern Peninsula–Labrador
9.3%

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

145,400 people employed

Up 2.0% since May 2024

The number of jobs in Avalon Peninsula increased by 2,800 (+2.0%) over the last 12 months. The majority of new job growth this year is part-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) grew by 2,900 (+1.9%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate declined to 8.7% in May from 8.8% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

South Coast–Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central-Bonavista Bay

50,500 people employed

Down -6.0% since May 2024

The number of jobs in South Coast-Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central-Bonavista Bay fell by a steep 3,200 (-6.0%) 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) declined by 2,700 (-4.2%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate grew to 17.0% in May from 15.5% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

West Coast–Northern Peninsula–Labrador

47,900 people employed

Up 6.2% since May 2024

The number of jobs in West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador was up by a sharp 2,800 (+6.2%) over the last 12 months. The majority of new job growth this year is full-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) increased by 2,400 (+4.8%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate fell to 9.3% in May from 10.7% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2025-06-13 09:32:46

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