The Economics and Statistics Division maintains archives of previous publications for accountability purposes, but makes no updates to keep these documents current with the latest data revisions from Statistics Canada. As a result, information in older documents may not be accurate. Please exercise caution when referring to older documents. For the latest information and historical data, please contact the individual listed to the right.
<--- Return to Archive
For additional information relating to this article, please contact:
April 17, 2025EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 2025 Monthly (February 2025 vs January 2025, seasonally adjusted regular beneficiaries)
In February 2025, there were 21,790 Nova Scotians in receipt of regular employment insurance benefits (seasonally adjusted). Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted regular employment insurance usage increased by 30 (+0.1%) from January to February.
There were 494,130 Canadians that received regular employment insurance benefits in February 2025 (seasonally adjusted), an increase of 11,990 (+2.5%) from January 2025.
When compared to January 2025, all provinces reported higher employment insurance usage. Nova Scotia reported the slowest increase while the fastest increase was in Québec.
The number of employment insurance beneficiaries amounted to 3.9% of the labour force in Nova Scotia in February 2025. Nationally, the share of beneficiaries was 2.2% of the labour force. Newfoundland and Labrador had the largest share of beneficiaries of the labour force, while British Columbia had the lowest.
Year-over-year (February 2025 vs February 2024)
Compared to February 2024, Nova Scotia's employment insurance usage declined 0.3% (-70). National employment insurance usage increased 5.9% compared to February 2024. Six provinces reported higher employment insurance compared to one year ago, with the fastest rise in Ontario. Four provinces reported lower employment insurance usage, with the fastest decline in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Use of employment insurance (as a share of the labour force) was lower for workers under age 55. Employment insurance use was higher for workers aged 55 and older. Across all age cohorts, male use of employment insurance was higher as a share of the labour force than female use of employment insurance.
The year-over-year decline in employment insurance usage was due to lower usage among females (across all age cohorts), partly offset by higher usage among males.
Comparing unadjusted regular beneficiaries for February 2025 against February 2024, employment insurance usage declined the most in Cape Breton, Guysborough and Victoria (in percentage terms). Employment insurance usage increased the most in Digby, Annapolis, and Lunenburg counties.
By occupation, employment insurance beneficiaries were more likely to be in technical trades/transportation, general trades, manufacturing/utilities, and helpers/labourers/other transport operators.
The fastest declines in employment insurance usage were among engineering/architecture/science occupations in middle management, technical occupations in natural/applied sciences, health occupations, and sales/service support. Among occupations that reported higher employment insurance usage, the fastest increase was among unclassified occupations, followed by occupations in art/culture/recreation/sport.
Year-to-date (January-February 2025 vs January-February 2024)
Compared to the first two months of 2024, Nova Scotia's employment insurance usage declined 0.3%. National employment insurance usage increased 4.2% compared to January-February 2024. Six provinces reported lower employment insurance compared to one year ago, with the fastest decline in Newfoundland and Labrador. Four provinces reported higher employment insurance usage, with the fastest rise in Ontario.
Year-to-date, employment insurance usage was lower due to declines among females aged 15-24 and 25-54. Employment insurance usage was up among males and females for those aged 55 and over.
In the first two months of 2025, employment insurance usage declined the most in Cape Breton, Guysborough, Victoria and Richmond (in percentage terms). Employment insurance usage increased the most in Annapolis, Digby, and Lunenburg counties in January-February 2025.
In January-February 2025, employment insurance usage declined the most in engineering/architecture/science middle management occupations, followed by health occupations, technical occupations in natural/applied science. The fastest increases were in unclassified occupations, and occupations in art/culture/recreation/sport.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0011-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries (regular benefits) by province and territory, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0323-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries by census division, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0456-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries (regular benefits) by province, territory and occupation, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0287-01 Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months
<--- Return to Archive
