Nova Scotia, August 2026 - Job market snapshot

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

Job growth in Nova Scotia has been positive each month since June 2026. Employment in the province grew by a modest 2,600 jobs (+0.5%) 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) increased by a moderate 2,100 people this month (+0.4%). The province’s unemployment rate has been declining each month since June 2026 and it now stands at 6.1%

Nova Scotia's job market by the numbers

Working population

540,500

Up 0.5% since July

Unemployment rate

6.1%

Down -0.1 pts since July

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 7.0%

July34,200

August36,600

In August, employment jumped by 2,400 jobs (+7.0%) in the manufacturing industry compared to the previous month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q1 2026 was 2.8%, which was 0.3p.p. higher than the previous quarter and which was 0.3p.p. higher than the same quarter a year prior.

Educational services

Number of jobs increased 4.7%

July42,700

August44,700

Employment in the educational services industry rose by 2,000 jobs (+4.7%) over the last month. The industry's job vacancy rate in Q1 2026 was 1.1%.

Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing

Number of jobs decreased -2.8%

July31,600

August30,700

Employment in the finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing industry fell by 900 jobs (-2.8%) 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

Annapolis Valley
6.2%
Cape Breton
7.5%
Halifax
6.2%
North Shore
6.1%
Southern
7.9%

The unemployment rate was lowest in North Shore and highest in Southern.

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

A closer look at some regions

Annapolis Valley

65,500 people employed

Up 8.6% since August 2025

The number of jobs in Annapolis Valley increased by a steep 5,200 (+8.6%) over the last 12 months. Part-time employment hiked by a steep 2,300 (+22.3%) over the last year. The labour force (those working or looking for work) is currently at its all-time largest at 69,800, which is 5,900 (+9.2%) higher than a year ago. The region's unemployment rate rose to 6.2% in August from 5.5% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Cape Breton

62,000 people employed

Up 3.3% since August 2025

Employment is at a historical high in Cape Breton. Jobs in the region have grown 2,000 (+3.3%) 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) was up by 1,300 (+2.0%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate shrunk to 7.5% in August from 8.5% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Southern

52,200 people employed

Down -0.4% since August 2025

The number of jobs in Southern decreased by a moderate 200 (-0.4%) over the last 12 months. Part-time employment dropped slightly over the last year. The labour force (those working or looking for work) was down by 100 (-0.2%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate is unchanged from August last year. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-09-04

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