Nova Scotia, June 2024 - 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 dropped by 1,700 jobs (-0.3%) over the last month. Full-time employment has fallen by a steep 2,600 over the last month, while part-time employment has grown by a modest 800. The labour force (those working or looking for work) declined by 900 people (-0.2%). The province’s unemployment rate has been rising each month since May 2024 and it now stands at 6.6%

Nova Scotia's job market by the numbers

Working population

512,900

Down -0.3% since May

Unemployment rate

6.6%

Up 0.2 pts since May

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

Industries in focus

Accommodation and food services

Number of jobs increased 7.3%

May33,000

June35,400

Employment in the accommodation and food services industry grew by 5,500 (+18.4%) over the last 12 months, including a gain of 2,400 (+7.3%) in the last month. The number of job vacancies in the industry in Q1 2024 was 1,120, 395 lower than the previous quarter.

Professional, scientific and technical services

Number of jobs decreased -9.2%

May37,000

June33,600

Employment in the professional, scientific and technical services industry dropped by a steep 4,400 (-11.6%) over the last 12 months, including a loss of 3,400 (-9.2%) in the last month. The number of job vacancies in the industry in Q1 2024 was 945.

Health care and social assistance

Number of jobs increased 4.2%

May78,900

June82,200

Employment is at a historical high in the health care and social assistance industry. Jobs in the sector have grown 4,800 (+6.2%) over the last 12 months, including 3,300 (+4.2%) in the last month. The number of job vacancies in the industry in Q1 2024 was 4,705, 150 higher than the previous quarter.

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

Unemployment rate by region

Annapolis Valley
4.8%
Cape Breton
8.8%
Halifax
5.9%
North Shore
5.2%
Southern
8.6%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Annapolis Valley and highest in Cape Breton.

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0387-01 - Labour force characteristics, three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality, last 5 months

A closer look at some regions

Cape Breton

53,700 people employed

Up 9.8% since June 2023

Employment in Cape Breton grew over the last year, as the number of jobs jumped by a steep 4,800 (+9.8%). Full-time employment rose by 2,800 over the last year, while part-time employment was up by 2,000. The labour force (those working or looking for work) hiked by a sharp 4,500 (+8.3%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate declined to 8.8% in June from 10.3% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

North Shore

67,700 people employed

Down -3.3% since June 2023

The number of jobs in North Shore fell by 2,300 (-3.3%) over the last 12 months. The majority of the decline in employment this year is due to loss of full-time employment. The labour force (those working or looking for work) decreased by 2,900 (-3.9%) compared to a year ago. The region's unemployment rate declined to 5.2% in June from 5.7% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Halifax

281,400 people employed

Up 7.2% since June 2023

Employment is at a historical high in Halifax. Jobs in the region have grown by 18,800 (+7.2%) over the last 12 months. Full-time employment jumped by a sharp 18,800 (+8.7%) year-over-year. The labour force (those working or looking for work) is currently at its all-time largest at 299,200, which is 20,700 (+7.4%) higher than a year ago. The region's unemployment rate rose to 5.9% in June from 5.7% the same month the year prior. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2024-07-25 23:00:30

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