Nova Scotia, July 2026 - Job market snapshot

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

Employment in Nova Scotia has grown by 4,600 jobs (+0.9%) over the last month. The majority of new job growth this month is part-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) increased by 3,000 people this month (+0.5%). The province’s unemployment rate has been declining each month since June 2026 and it now stands at 6.2%

Nova Scotia's job market by the numbers

Working population

537,900

Up 0.9% since June

Unemployment rate

6.2%

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

Health care and social assistance

Number of jobs increased 0.9%

June88,100

July88,900

Employment in the health care and social assistance industry increased by 2,700 (+3.1%) over the last 12 months, including a gain of 800 (+0.9%) in the last month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q1 2026 was 3.8%, which was 1.4p.p. lower than the previous quarter and which was 0.8p.p. lower than the same quarter a year prior.

Information, culture and recreation

Number of jobs increased 8.7%

June17,300

July18,800

Employment in the information, culture and recreation industry decreased by 1,500 (-7.4%) over the last 12 months, including a gain of 1,500 (+8.7%) in the last month.

Professional, scientific and technical services

Number of jobs decreased -4.0%

June44,500

July42,700

In July, employment fell by 1,800 jobs (-4.0%) in the professional, scientific and technical services industry compared to the previous month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q1 2026 was 3.4%.

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

Unemployment rate by region

Annapolis Valley
6.9%
Cape Breton
7.6%
Halifax
6.2%
North Shore
6.2%
Southern
6.5%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Halifax and highest in Cape Breton.

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

A closer look at some regions

Annapolis Valley

64,700 people employed

Up 6.9% since July 2025

The number of jobs in Annapolis Valley jumped by 4,200 (+6.9%) 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) rose by a steep 5,700 (+8.9%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate was up to 6.9% in July from 5.2% the same month the year prior.

North Shore

75,600 people employed

Up 3.1% since July 2025

Employment is at a historical high in North Shore. Jobs in the region have grown 2,300 (+3.1%) over the last 12 months. Full-time employment increased by a modest 400 (+0.7%) year-over-year. The labour force (those working or looking for work) was up by 1,600 (+2.0%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate fell to 6.2% in July from 7.2% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Southern

53,100 people employed

Up 2.1% since July 2025

The number of jobs in Southern rose by 1,100 (+2.1%) 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) increased by 500 (+0.9%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate dropped to 6.5% in July from 7.6% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-08-07

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