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November 20, 2014EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SEPTEMBER 2014 In September 2014, the number (seasonally adjusted) of Nova Scotians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits increased by 70 persons (-0.3%) from the previous month to 25,060, and declined by 2,560 persons (-9.3%) over September 2013.
In September 2014, the number (seasonally adjusted) of Canadians receiving regular EI benefits fell by 4,490 persons (-0.9%) from the previous month to 494,390 and declined by 17,950 persons (-3.3%) over September 2013.
The majority (64.5%) of regular EI recipients in Nova Scotia in September 2014 were in the 25 to 54 age group, 25.6% were in the 55 years and over age group, and 9.9% were in the 15 to 24 age group.
On a year-over-year basis. the number of beneficiaries in the 15 to 24 age group decreased by 430 persons; the 25-54 age group decreased by 1,850 persons, and the 55 and over group decreased by 280 individuals.
In September 2014, the number of Nova Scotians receiving regular EI benefits declined in all counties except Halifax (+130 recipients) compared to the same month a year ago. The largest decline in the number of EI recipients was recorded in Cape Breton (-660 persons).
On a year-to-date average basis, all counties except Halifax County (+0.1%) saw declines in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013.
Looking closer at the largest counties (with the most recipients), Halifax had 3,840 EI recipients in September 2014, 3.5% (130 persons) more than a year earlier, and Cape Breton had 4,560 EI recipients in September 2014, 12.6% (660 persons) less than in September 2013. Note: county level data are not seasonally adjusted). Halifax county represented 19.8% of Nova Scotia recipients this month, and Cape Breton county accounted for 23.6% of recipients this month.
The percentage of Employment Insurance (EI) use September 2014 (ratio of the total number of regular EI beneficiaries to the population aged 15 and over, as of July 1, 2013) is mapped below by Census Division for Nova Scotia and Canada. Click on the images to enlarge the map.
In Nova Scotia, Victoria County has the highest rate of EI use (13.1%), followed by Shelburne County (8.9%). There are 5 counties with EI usage rates ranging from 5% to 6%. With 7 counties falling in the less than 2% group, the lowest rate of EI use is observed in Halifax County (1.1%). Generally, counties in central and northern regions see lower EI usage rate as compared to counties in eastern and western regions.
While looking at the percentage of EI use in Canada at Census Division level, it ranges from 0.04% (Stikine, British Columbia) to 18.6% (Northern Rockies, British Columbia). Among populated provinces, Alberta sees the lowest average EI usage rate (0.7%) across Census Divisions, followed by Saskatchewan (0.9%) and Ontario (1%). Newfoundland and Labrador sees the highest average EI usage rate (7.2%), with EI usage rates ranging from 3% to 12.7% across Census Divisions.
Statistics Canada CANSIM (free) 276-0022 and 276-0032 (County level)
For more information, see the updated Employment Insurance section of the Economics and Statistics Division's "Labour Market Monthly" publication, by clicking
here.