Nova Scotia Employment Trends
The unemployment rate in Nova Scotia was 6.2% as of October 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The unemployment rate stood 7.5% below the peak in June 2020 and is below the long-run average.
There were 1,400 more full-time jobs in October 2026 compared to a month earlier. Combined with a gain of 300 part-time positions, this led to an increase of 1,700 total jobs in October.
Full-time employment has recovered since reaching a bottom in April 2026 and now stands at a record high.
* All figures are seasonally adjusted, three-month moving averages. Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.
Halifax-Dartmouth Employment Trends
The unemployment rate in Halifax was 5.4% as of October 2026, down 0.4% from the previous month. The unemployment rate stood 6.7% below the peak from June 2020 and is below the long-run average.
There were 2,400 more full-time jobs in October 2026 compared to a month earlier. Combined with a gain of 1,500 part-time positions, this led to an increase of 3,900 total jobs in October.
Full-time employment has recovered since reaching a bottom in November 2025 and now stands at a record high.
* All figures are seasonally adjusted, three-month moving averages. Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.
