Nova Scotia Employment Trends
The unemployment rate in Nova Scotia was 6.9% as of March 2026, up 0.1% from the previous month. The unemployment rate stood 6.8% below the peak from June 2020 and is below the long-run average.
There were 100 fewer full-time jobs in March 2026 compared to a month earlier. Combined with a gain of 1,400 part-time positions, this led to an increase of 1,300 total jobs in March.
Full-time employment was down 600 jobs from the peak in January 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 6.1% as of March 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The unemployment rate stood 6% below the peak in June 2020 and is below the long-run average.
There were 700 more full-time jobs in March 2026 compared to a month earlier. Combined with a gain of 600 part-time positions, this led to an increase of 1,300 total jobs in March.
Full-time employment was down 2,100 jobs from the peak in July 2025 but stood 4,100 jobs above the trough in December 2025.
* All figures are seasonally adjusted, 3-month moving averages. Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.
