List of Canadian provinces by unemployment rate and job market trends

Canada's job market is as diverse as its provinces, with each one experiencing its own unique trends and challenges. Newfoundland and Labrador boasts the highest unemployment rate at 12.6%, largely due to its reliance on the oil and gas industry.

New Brunswick follows closely behind with an unemployment rate of 10.3%, a result of its struggling manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, Prince Edward Island has a relatively low unemployment rate of 6.3%, thanks to its strong agricultural industry.

Saskatchewan's unemployment rate stands at 5.5%, driven by its thriving oil and gas sector. In contrast, Nova Scotia's unemployment rate is 8.1%, influenced by its declining manufacturing industry.

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Nunavut has the highest unemployment rate in Canada at 13.5%. This is a significant concern for the territory's young population, where education remains a hurdle with low high school graduation rates.

Newfoundland and Labrador has seen a slight improvement in unemployment rates, with a current rate of 12.2% and a jobs gain of 2,300 in the last month.

Ontario is a different story, having added 36,600 jobs in the last month, but still maintains an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent.

Alberta, on the other hand, has seen a decline in employment, with a loss of 10,800 jobs in the last month, and an unemployment rate of 11.1 percent.

Here is a summary of the current unemployment rates in each province:

It's worth noting that some provinces have seen significant declines in employment, such as Ontario, which is now down by 66,000 jobs compared to its recent peak in February 2025.

The unemployment rates in Canada vary greatly from province to province. Nunavut has the highest unemployment rate at 13.5%, making it the territory with the highest unemployment rate.

The territory's young population and low high school graduation rates contribute to this high unemployment rate. Businesses in the territory often cite the lack of qualifications as a major reason for the unemployability of the population.

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On the other hand, Yukon has the lowest unemployment rate at 5.5%, making it the Canadian province/territory with the lowest unemployment rate. The territory's economy benefits from mineral deposits, including lead, gold, zinc, and silver.

Here's a list of the top 5 and bottom 5 provinces/territories by unemployment rate:

The labour market in Canada is a complex and ever-changing landscape. Unemployment rates vary significantly across the country.

According to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey, the national unemployment rate is 8.5%. This is a key indicator of the overall health of the labour market.

The employment rate in Canada is 59.5%, which means that nearly 60% of the working-age population is employed. This is a relatively high rate, indicating a strong labour market.

However, the labour force participation rate is lower, at 65.1%. This suggests that some Canadians are not actively seeking employment.

In terms of youth unemployment, the rate is 17.4% for those aged 15-24. This is a significant concern, as it can have long-term impacts on their future prospects.

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The unemployment rates for men and women over 25 are 7.4% and 6.8%, respectively. These rates are lower than the national average, indicating that older workers are more likely to be employed.

Here's a breakdown of the unemployment rates by province:

As we can see, some provinces are performing better than others in terms of unemployment rates. Ontario, for example, has an unemployment rate of 9.1%, while British Columbia has a rate of 7.1%.

In some Canadian provinces, job losses have been significant. Ontario saw a decline of 26,000 jobs in August, with a corresponding drop in employment of 0.3%. Meanwhile, British Columbia and Alberta experienced job losses of 16,000 and 14,000, respectively.

The unemployment rates in these provinces have also been affected. In Ontario, the rate edged lower to 7.7%, while in British Columbia it rose to 6.2%. Alberta's unemployment rate climbed to 8.4%, its highest since 2017 outside the pandemic years.

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Employment also dropped in New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In contrast, Prince Edward Island gained 1,100 jobs, a 1.2% increase.

Here's a breakdown of the job losses in the provinces mentioned:

In Quebec, employment held steady, but the unemployment rate rose to 6.0% due to an increase in job seekers.