Nova Scotia Employment Trends
The unemployment rate in Nova Scotia was 6.7% as of May 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The unemployment rate stood 7% below the peak in June 2020 and is below the long-run average.
There were 800 more full-time jobs in May 2026 compared to a month earlier. Combined with a gain of 600 part-time positions, this led to an increase of 1,400 total jobs in May.
Full-time employment was down 300 jobs from the peak in January 2026 but stood 800 jobs above the trough in April 2026.
* All figures are seasonally adjusted, 3-month moving averages. Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.
Halifax-Dartmouth Employment Trends
The unemployment rate in Halifax was 5.7% as of May 2026, down 0.3% from the previous month. The unemployment rate stood 6.4% below the peak from June 2020 and is below the long-run average.
There were 400 more full-time jobs in May 2026 compared to a month earlier. Combined with a loss of 1,100 part-time positions, this led to a decrease of 700 total jobs in May.
Full-time employment was down 1,700 jobs from the peak in July 2025 but stood 3,900 jobs above the trough in December 2025.
* All figures are seasonally adjusted, 3-month moving averages. Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.
