Atlantic Canada at Work: Evolving Opportunities
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A Data Story: A discussion with Statistics Canada
Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada
Moncton, June 17, 2019
Delivering insight through data for a better Canada
Key challenges in today's labour market
- Population aging
- Immigration and retention
- Global market uncertainty and work precarity
- Increasingly digital economy
- Automation and specialization of work
- Labour shortages and skills mismatch
Atlantic Canada at Work: Evolving Opportunities
Recent trends in an evolving labour market
- Population aging and immigration
- Industries in transition
- Vulnerability and quality of work
- Labour market dynamics
- Diverse landscape of regional labour markets
Vision for analyzing tomorrow's labour market
Recent trends in an evolving labour market
- Population aging and immigration
Shift in fertility rate in Atlantic Canada to below the national average

Description for chart 1 - Shift in fertility rate in Atlantic Canada to below the national average (number of children per woman)
N.L. | P.E.I. | N.S. | N.B. | Canada | Replacement level fertility | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1971 | .. | 2.86 | 2.46 | 2.62 | 2.13 | 2.10 |
1972 | .. | 2.60 | 2.27 | 2.42 | 1.97 | 2.10 |
1973 | .. | 2.30 | 2.12 | 2.22 | 1.88 | 2.10 |
1974 | .. | 2.30 | 1.99 | 2.14 | 1.83 | 2.10 |
1975 | .. | 2.17 | 1.96 | 2.09 | 1.83 | 2.10 |
1976 | .. | 2.13 | 1.87 | 1.88 | 1.78 | 2.10 |
1977 | .. | 2.10 | 1.76 | 1.92 | 1.75 | 2.10 |
1978 | .. | 2.05 | 1.75 | 1.76 | 1.70 | 2.10 |
1979 | .. | 1.95 | 1.70 | 1.75 | 1.70 | 2.10 |
1980 | .. | 1.94 | 1.67 | 1.69 | 1.68 | 2.10 |
1981 | .. | 1.89 | 1.62 | 1.67 | 1.65 | 2.10 |
1982 | .. | 1.91 | 1.64 | 1.67 | 1.63 | 2.10 |
1983 | .. | 1.85 | 1.63 | 1.65 | 1.62 | 2.10 |
1984 | .. | 1.85 | 1.60 | 1.61 | 1.62 | 2.10 |
1985 | .. | 1.88 | 1.60 | 1.57 | 1.61 | 2.10 |
1986 | .. | 1.80 | 1.58 | 1.53 | 1.59 | 2.10 |
1987 | .. | 1.83 | 1.55 | 1.51 | 1.58 | 2.10 |
1988 | .. | 1.87 | 1.57 | 1.53 | 1.60 | 2.10 |
1989 | .. | 1.84 | 1.62 | 1.56 | 1.66 | 2.10 |
1990 | .. | 1.95 | 1.68 | 1.59 | 1.71 | 2.10 |
1991 | 1.44 | 1.86 | 1.59 | 1.56 | 1.72 | 2.10 |
1992 | 1.41 | 1.85 | 1.59 | 1.56 | 1.71 | 2.10 |
1993 | 1.32 | 1.77 | 1.57 | 1.53 | 1.68 | 2.10 |
1994 | 1.34 | 1.74 | 1.54 | 1.55 | 1.69 | 2.10 |
1995 | 1.28 | 1.79 | 1.52 | 1.51 | 1.67 | 2.10 |
1996 | 1.31 | 1.74 | 1.52 | 1.46 | 1.63 | 2.10 |
1997 | 1.28 | 1.66 | 1.46 | 1.45 | 1.57 | 2.10 |
1998 | 1.24 | 1.60 | 1.44 | 1.47 | 1.56 | 2.10 |
1999 | 1.30 | 1.63 | 1.46 | 1.44 | 1.54 | 2.10 |
2000 | 1.30 | 1.58 | 1.41 | 1.42 | 1.51 | 2.10 |
2001 | 1.30 | 1.55 | 1.40 | 1.41 | 1.54 | 2.10 |
2002 | 1.31 | 1.49 | 1.38 | 1.40 | 1.51 | 2.10 |
2003 | 1.33 | 1.60 | 1.39 | 1.43 | 1.54 | 2.10 |
2004 | 1.32 | 1.58 | 1.41 | 1.42 | 1.55 | 2.10 |
2005 | 1.36 | 1.54 | 1.40 | 1.43 | 1.57 | 2.10 |
2006 | 1.41 | 1.65 | 1.40 | 1.48 | 1.61 | 2.10 |
2007 | 1.44 | 1.64 | 1.49 | 1.53 | 1.66 | 2.10 |
2008 | 1.55 | 1.74 | 1.55 | 1.60 | 1.69 | 2.10 |
2009 | 1.55 | 1.71 | 1.52 | 1.61 | 1.68 | 2.10 |
2010 | 1.53 | 1.65 | 1.51 | 1.61 | 1.64 | 2.10 |
2011 | 1.40 | 1.66 | 1.51 | 1.57 | 1.62 | 2.10 |
2012 | 1.38 | 1.53 | 1.51 | 1.57 | 1.62 | 2.10 |
2013 | 1.44 | 1.66 | 1.47 | 1.57 | 1.60 | 2.10 |
2014 | 1.47 | 1.68 | 1.52 | 1.60 | 1.61 | 2.10 |
2015 | 1.46 | 1.61 | 1.46 | 1.54 | 1.60 | 2.10 |
2016 | 1.47 | 1.64 | 1.46 | 1.56 | 1.59 | 2.10 |
2017 | 1.36 | 1.53 | 1.43 | 1.54 | 1.54 | 2.10 |
.. not available for a specific reference period | ||||||
Note: 2017 birth data is considered preliminary. | ||||||
Sources: Statistics Canada, Canadian Vital Statistics, Births Database, 1971 to 2017, and Demography Division, Demographic Estimates Program. |
Population pyramids, 1988 and 2018

Description for chart 2 - Population pyramids, 1988 and 2018
Age | Percentage of total population | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | Atlantic | |||
1988 | 2018 | 1988 | 2018 | |
0 | 0.014 | 0.010 | -0.013 | -0.009 |
1 | 0.014 | 0.010 | -0.013 | -0.009 |
2 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.014 | -0.009 |
3 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.014 | -0.009 |
4 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.014 | -0.009 |
5 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.014 | -0.009 |
6 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.014 | -0.010 |
7 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.014 | -0.010 |
8 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.015 | -0.010 |
9 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.015 | -0.010 |
10 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.015 | -0.010 |
11 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.015 | -0.010 |
12 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.016 | -0.010 |
13 | 0.014 | 0.010 | -0.016 | -0.010 |
14 | 0.013 | 0.011 | -0.016 | -0.010 |
15 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.017 | -0.010 |
16 | 0.014 | 0.011 | -0.017 | -0.010 |
17 | 0.015 | 0.011 | -0.018 | -0.011 |
18 | 0.015 | 0.012 | -0.017 | -0.011 |
19 | 0.015 | 0.013 | -0.016 | -0.011 |
20 | 0.015 | 0.013 | -0.017 | -0.012 |
21 | 0.016 | 0.013 | -0.017 | -0.012 |
22 | 0.017 | 0.013 | -0.017 | -0.012 |
23 | 0.018 | 0.013 | -0.018 | -0.012 |
24 | 0.019 | 0.014 | -0.018 | -0.012 |
25 | 0.019 | 0.014 | -0.018 | -0.012 |
26 | 0.019 | 0.014 | -0.018 | -0.012 |
27 | 0.019 | 0.014 | -0.018 | -0.012 |
28 | 0.019 | 0.014 | -0.018 | -0.012 |
29 | 0.019 | 0.014 | -0.017 | -0.012 |
30 | 0.019 | 0.014 | -0.017 | -0.011 |
31 | 0.018 | 0.014 | -0.017 | -0.011 |
32 | 0.018 | 0.014 | -0.017 | -0.012 |
33 | 0.018 | 0.014 | -0.017 | -0.012 |
34 | 0.017 | 0.014 | -0.017 | -0.012 |
35 | 0.017 | 0.014 | -0.016 | -0.012 |
36 | 0.016 | 0.014 | -0.016 | -0.012 |
37 | 0.016 | 0.014 | -0.016 | -0.012 |
38 | 0.016 | 0.013 | -0.015 | -0.012 |
39 | 0.015 | 0.013 | -0.015 | -0.012 |
40 | 0.015 | 0.013 | -0.015 | -0.012 |
41 | 0.016 | 0.013 | -0.015 | -0.012 |
42 | 0.014 | 0.013 | -0.013 | -0.012 |
43 | 0.013 | 0.013 | -0.012 | -0.012 |
44 | 0.012 | 0.013 | -0.012 | -0.013 |
45 | 0.012 | 0.013 | -0.011 | -0.013 |
46 | 0.011 | 0.013 | -0.011 | -0.013 |
47 | 0.011 | 0.013 | -0.010 | -0.014 |
48 | 0.010 | 0.013 | -0.010 | -0.014 |
49 | 0.010 | 0.013 | -0.009 | -0.014 |
50 | 0.010 | 0.013 | -0.009 | -0.014 |
51 | 0.009 | 0.013 | -0.009 | -0.014 |
52 | 0.009 | 0.014 | -0.009 | -0.015 |
53 | 0.009 | 0.015 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
54 | 0.009 | 0.015 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
55 | 0.009 | 0.015 | -0.009 | -0.017 |
56 | 0.009 | 0.015 | -0.009 | -0.016 |
57 | 0.009 | 0.015 | -0.008 | -0.017 |
58 | 0.009 | 0.015 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
59 | 0.009 | 0.014 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
60 | 0.009 | 0.014 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
61 | 0.009 | 0.014 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
62 | 0.009 | 0.013 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
63 | 0.009 | 0.013 | -0.008 | -0.016 |
64 | 0.008 | 0.012 | -0.008 | -0.015 |
65 | 0.008 | 0.012 | -0.008 | -0.014 |
66 | 0.008 | 0.011 | -0.008 | -0.014 |
67 | 0.008 | 0.011 | -0.007 | -0.014 |
68 | 0.007 | 0.011 | -0.008 | -0.013 |
69 | 0.006 | 0.010 | -0.007 | -0.013 |
70 | 0.006 | 0.010 | -0.006 | -0.013 |
71 | 0.006 | 0.010 | -0.006 | -0.013 |
72 | 0.006 | 0.008 | -0.006 | -0.011 |
73 | 0.006 | 0.008 | -0.006 | -0.009 |
74 | 0.005 | 0.007 | -0.006 | -0.009 |
75 | 0.005 | 0.007 | -0.005 | -0.008 |
76 | 0.004 | 0.006 | -0.005 | -0.008 |
77 | 0.004 | 0.006 | -0.004 | -0.007 |
78 | 0.004 | 0.005 | -0.004 | -0.006 |
79 | 0.003 | 0.005 | -0.004 | -0.006 |
80 | 0.003 | 0.005 | -0.003 | -0.006 |
81 | 0.003 | 0.004 | -0.003 | -0.005 |
82 | 0.003 | 0.004 | -0.003 | -0.005 |
83 | 0.002 | 0.004 | -0.002 | -0.004 |
84 | 0.002 | 0.004 | -0.002 | -0.004 |
85 | 0.002 | 0.003 | -0.002 | -0.004 |
86 | 0.001 | 0.003 | -0.001 | -0.003 |
87 | 0.001 | 0.003 | -0.001 | -0.003 |
88 | 0.001 | 0.002 | -0.001 | -0.002 |
89 | 0.001 | 0.002 | -0.001 | -0.002 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Demographic Estimates Program. |
Canada | Atlantic | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | 2018 | 1988 | 2018 | |
Median Age | 38 | 46 | 37 | 50 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Demographic Estimates Program. |
Lowest proportions of immigrants in the Atlantic provinces…

Description for chart 3 - Proportion of immigrants in population aged 25 to 54, by province, 2018
percent | |
---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | 3.1 |
New Brunswick | 6.4 |
Nova Scotia | 7.7 |
Prince Edward Island | 8.3 |
Saskatchewan | 17.2 |
Quebec | 20.7 |
Manitoba | 25.2 |
Alberta | 25.7 |
Canada | 27.7 |
British Columbia | 32.6 |
Ontario | 35.2 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
…but growth outpacing Canadian average

Description for chart 4 - Growth in the number of immigrants between 1999/2008 and 2009/2018
percent | |
---|---|
Canada | 17 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 93 |
Prince Edward Island | 380 |
Nova Scotia | 70 |
New Brunswick | 170 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Demographic Estimates Program. |
Population growth rates in 2018
- Slowest population growth in Atlantic provinces overall in 2018 (+0.5%).
- Moncton CMA's population grew almost three times as fast as New Brunswick in 2018 (+1.4%).

Description for chart 5 - Population growth rates by province, 2018
percent | |
---|---|
British Columbia | 1.4 |
Alberta | 1.5 |
Saskatchewan | 1.0 |
Manitoba | 1.3 |
Ontario | 1.8 |
Quebec | 1.1 |
New Brunswick | 0.5 |
Nova Scotia | 1.0 |
Prince Edward Island | 1.8 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | -0.6 |
Canada | 1.4 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Demographic Estimates Program. |
By 2061, the population share of the Atlantic provinces could be half of what it was in 1961

Description for chart 6 - Population share by region, 1961 to 2061 (percent)
1961 | 1986 | 2011 | 2036 | 2061 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
percent | |||||
Atlantic | 10.4 | 8.9 | 6.7 | 5.7 | 4.6 |
Quebec | 28.8 | 25.7 | 23.2 | 22.0 | 21.2 |
Ontario | 34.2 | 36.2 | 38.5 | 38.8 | 38.7 |
Prairies | 17.4 | 17.4 | 18.2 | 19.4 | 21.0 |
British Columbia | 8.9 | 11.5 | 13.0 | 13.8 | 14.2 |
Territories | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 |
Source: Demographic Estimates Program and Population projections, custom scenarios based on recent trends. |
Immigration driving population growth in most Atlantic provinces

Description for chart 7 - Population growth composition, Canada and Atlantic provinces, 2017/2018
Canada | Newfoundland and Labrador | Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
percentage points | |||||
Population Growth | 1.4 | -0.6 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
Natural Increase (births minus deaths) | 0.3 | -0.2 | 0.2 | -0.1 | -0.1 |
Net International Migration | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.6 |
Net Internal Migration | 0.0 | -0.7 | -0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Demographic Estimates Program. |
Recent trends in an evolving labour market
- Industries in transition
Above national annual Gross domestic product (GDP) growth for P.E.I. in the last 4 years

Description for chart 8 - Annual GDP growth, Canada and Atlantic provinces (percent)
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
---|---|---|---|
Canada | 1.1 | 3.2 | 2.0 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 1.7 | 0.9 | -2.7 |
Prince Edward Island | 1.7 | 3.4 | 2.6 |
Nova Scotia | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.2 |
New Brunswick | 1.4 | 2.0 | 0.1 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices, by industry. |
Recent Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in most Atlantic provinces driven by services-producing industries, while decline in Newfoundland and Labrador driven by goods-producing industries
In 2018, about 1 in 4 people in the Atlantic provinces worked in sales and service occupations.

Description for chart 9 - Decomposition of annual GDP growth by industry, 2018
Newfoundland and Labrador | Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | |
---|---|---|---|---|
percentage points | ||||
All industries | -2.697 | 2.644 | 1.228 | 0.078 |
Goods | -2.598 | 0.805 | 0.197 | -0.707 |
Services | -0.099 | 1.840 | 1.033 | 0.785 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Gross domestic product (GDP) by industry – provincial and territorial. |
Distribution of employment within the goods-producing sector experienced trade-offs between 1976 and 2018 in most Atlantic provinces

Description for chart 10 - Distribution of employment for selected industries within the goods-producing sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, 1976 and 2018 (percent)
Construction | Manufacturing | |
---|---|---|
1976 | 29.0 | 35.5 |
2018 | 43.4 | 19.4 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |

Description for chart 11 - Distribution of employment for selected industries within the goods-producing sectors in Prince Edward Island, 1976 and 2018 (percent)
Agriculture | Manufacturing | |
---|---|---|
1976 | 40.4 | 19.9 |
2018 | 20.6 | 35.1 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |

Description for chart 12 - Distribution of employment for selected industries within the goods-producing sectors in Nova Scotia, 1976 and 2018 (percent)
Construction | Manufacturing | |
---|---|---|
1976 | 26.3 | 45.2 |
2018 | 40.0 | 38.3 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Exports from Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick highly concentrated since the early 2000s

Description for chart 13 - Domestic export concentration, Canada and Atlantic provinces, 1988 to 2018 (Herfindahl-Hirshman Index (HHI))
Canada | New Brunswick | Newfoundland and Labrador | Nova Scotia | Prince Edward Island | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | 0.09 | 0.17 | 0.23 | 0.17 | 0.21 |
1989 | 0.09 | 0.16 | 0.23 | 0.15 | 0.21 |
1990 | 0.09 | 0.17 | 0.29 | 0.18 | 0.30 |
1991 | 0.09 | 0.19 | 0.28 | 0.17 | 0.27 |
1992 | 0.09 | 0.16 | 0.27 | 0.18 | 0.23 |
1993 | 0.10 | 0.17 | 0.24 | 0.17 | 0.21 |
1994 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.27 | 0.17 | 0.21 |
1995 | 0.09 | 0.17 | 0.25 | 0.16 | 0.20 |
1996 | 0.09 | 0.17 | 0.25 | 0.15 | 0.17 |
1997 | 0.09 | 0.17 | 0.25 | 0.15 | 0.17 |
1998 | 0.09 | 0.15 | 0.24 | 0.14 | 0.16 |
1999 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.24 | 0.13 | 0.19 |
2000 | 0.09 | 0.18 | 0.30 | 0.12 | 0.20 |
2001 | 0.09 | 0.23 | 0.27 | 0.13 | 0.24 |
2002 | 0.09 | 0.23 | 0.39 | 0.13 | 0.22 |
2003 | 0.10 | 0.26 | 0.35 | 0.14 | 0.21 |
2004 | 0.09 | 0.28 | 0.52 | 0.13 | 0.19 |
2005 | 0.10 | 0.39 | 0.51 | 0.13 | 0.16 |
2006 | 0.09 | 0.37 | 0.56 | 0.12 | 0.16 |
2007 | 0.09 | 0.41 | 0.57 | 0.13 | 0.20 |
2008 | 0.12 | 0.49 | 0.59 | 0.14 | 0.19 |
2009 | 0.09 | 0.45 | 0.49 | 0.12 | 0.20 |
2010 | 0.10 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.12 | 0.19 |
2011 | 0.11 | 0.53 | 0.50 | 0.13 | 0.17 |
2012 | 0.11 | 0.53 | 0.49 | 0.15 | 0.16 |
2013 | 0.11 | 0.52 | 0.50 | 0.14 | 0.17 |
2014 | 0.12 | 0.46 | 0.59 | 0.14 | 0.16 |
2015 | 0.08 | 0.38 | 0.50 | 0.16 | 0.14 |
2016 | 0.08 | 0.34 | 0.44 | 0.17 | 0.17 |
2017 | 0.09 | 0.40 | 0.45 | 0.18 | 0.18 |
2018 | 0.09 | 0.38 | 0.54 | 0.17 | 0.18 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian domestic export concentration. |
Recent trends in an evolving labour market
- Vulnerability and quality of work
Wage growth in Canada is subject to regional and cyclical variations
In the 2000s wage growth was driven by the oil-sector…

Description for chart 14 - Indexed real hourly wage by region, employees aged 25 to 54, 2000-2018
Oil producing provinces | Atlantic without Newfoundland and Labrador | Ontario | Other provinces | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000=100 | ||||
2000 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
2001 | 102.3 | 101.1 | 100.4 | 100.7 |
2002 | 104.0 | 99.8 | 100.5 | 101.2 |
2003 | 101.4 | 100.2 | 99.3 | 101.4 |
2004 | 102.3 | 100.9 | 100.5 | 101.7 |
2005 | 106.1 | 100.3 | 101.2 | 101.8 |
2006 | 108.3 | 101.8 | 102.9 | 102.4 |
2007 | 109.4 | 105.1 | 104.3 | 104.0 |
2008 | 112.0 | 106.7 | 105.9 | 105.6 |
2009 | 116.3 | 111.3 | 107.5 | 109.2 |
2010 | 116.6 | 112.7 | 106.5 | 109.8 |
2011 | 116.6 | 109.7 | 105.9 | 108.0 |
2012 | 120.6 | 111.5 | 106.3 | 109.2 |
2013 | 122.6 | 112.5 | 107.2 | 110.5 |
2014 | 122.2 | 113.9 | 106.1 | 111.6 |
2015 | 124.9 | 116.2 | 108.1 | 113.6 |
2016 | 124.8 | 116.7 | 108.1 | 114.6 |
2017 | 125.0 | 117.3 | 107.5 | 116.2 |
2018 | 124.5 | 117.4 | 108.2 | 115.3 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
…and workers with higher levels of education were the most affected by downturn in the industry.

Description for chart 15 - Indexed real hourly wage by province and education level, core-age employees, 2000-2018
N.L., Highschool or less | N.L., Post-secondary, above Bachelor's degree | N.L., Post-secondary, below Bachelor's degree | P.E.I.-N.B.-N.S., Highschool or less | P.E.I.-N.B.-N.S., Post-secondary, above Bachelor's degree | P.E.I.-N.B.-N.S., Post-secondary, below Bachelor's degree | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000=100 | ||||||
2000 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
2001 | 101.9 | 103.1 | 100.9 | 98.7 | 100.5 | 101.6 |
2002 | 100.6 | 103.1 | 105.6 | 97.5 | 98.3 | 101.2 |
2003 | 102.7 | 103.9 | 104.2 | 98.5 | 99.7 | 98.5 |
2004 | 100.2 | 102.1 | 106.6 | 98.8 | 99.5 | 101.4 |
2005 | 102.5 | 103.4 | 107.6 | 99.4 | 99.2 | 99.5 |
2006 | 102.0 | 103.7 | 107.6 | 98.9 | 100.2 | 101.9 |
2007 | 107.3 | 109.7 | 105.1 | 101.8 | 103.2 | 105.1 |
2008 | 109.1 | 112.4 | 112.6 | 103.2 | 104.3 | 106.6 |
2009 | 115.0 | 115.8 | 112.2 | 106.9 | 109.2 | 109.1 |
2010 | 116.3 | 118.8 | 119.6 | 107.1 | 110.1 | 109.6 |
2011 | 116.5 | 122.2 | 117.7 | 106.7 | 106.9 | 105.6 |
2012 | 118.1 | 126.3 | 125.3 | 107.5 | 109.2 | 105.6 |
2013 | 126.5 | 127.4 | 122.0 | 107.6 | 109.6 | 107.1 |
2014 | 130.0 | 127.3 | 126.0 | 110.5 | 110.7 | 106.5 |
2015 | 128.8 | 133.6 | 119.4 | 110.7 | 111.7 | 110.1 |
2016 | 123.8 | 126.9 | 116.9 | 109.9 | 110.4 | 110.2 |
2017 | 130.2 | 125.3 | 116.5 | 111.3 | 112.0 | 108.8 |
2018 | 125.5 | 125.2 | 117.6 | 110.2 | 111.8 | 108.2 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Temporary employment higher in the Atlantic provinces…
…but the share has declined over the years

Description for map 1 - Proportion of temporary employees in Canada, 1998-2018
Proportion of temporary employees in 2018 (percent) | 20-year change in the proportion of temporary employees (percentage points) | |
---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | 23 | -1.6 |
Prince Edward Island | 21 | -6.2 |
Nova Scotia | 16 | -1.1 |
New Brunswick | 17 | -1.7 |
Quebec | 13 | -0.1 |
Ontario | 13 | 3.1 |
Manitoba | 12 | 0.1 |
Saskatchewan | 13 | -0.7 |
Alberta | 13 | 2.0 |
British Columbia | 13 | 2.4 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Involuntary part-time converging towards the national average, except in Newfoundland and Labrador

Description for chart 16 - Proportion of total part-time workers who are involuntary part-time workers, 1997 to 2018 (percent)
Canada | Newfoundland and Labrador | Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | 31.2 | 56.6 | 37.3 | 41.8 | 42.6 |
1998 | 29.2 | 55.3 | 36.2 | 38.4 | 39.0 |
1999 | 26.8 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 34.9 | 36.0 |
2000 | 25.3 | 47.1 | 30.8 | 33.2 | 32.7 |
2001 | 25.8 | 49.7 | 29.4 | 31.0 | 32.6 |
2002 | 26.9 | 48.8 | 30.5 | 33.1 | 29.0 |
2003 | 27.5 | 49.4 | 30.6 | 31.3 | 31.8 |
2004 | 26.6 | 48.3 | 31.8 | 30.3 | 31.3 |
2005 | 25.5 | 43.7 | 29.8 | 30.5 | 30.2 |
2006 | 23.9 | 41.4 | 31.8 | 28.4 | 30.4 |
2007 | 22.0 | 40.1 | 27.6 | 28.3 | 26.7 |
2008 | 22.5 | 36.5 | 27.4 | 27.1 | 26.0 |
2009 | 27.4 | 40.1 | 29.3 | 30.2 | 27.6 |
2010 | 27.8 | 37.9 | 29.4 | 30.0 | 30.0 |
2011 | 27.2 | 37.0 | 30.8 | 32.9 | 31.7 |
2012 | 27.0 | 35.6 | 32.3 | 32.5 | 30.3 |
2013 | 27.1 | 33.6 | 32.6 | 32.5 | 32.0 |
2014 | 27.3 | 31.8 | 34.5 | 31.5 | 33.0 |
2015 | 26.2 | 33.7 | 31.5 | 30.7 | 30.2 |
2016 | 25.0 | 33.5 | 27.9 | 27.6 | 26.5 |
2017 | 24.2 | 37.3 | 26.1 | 25.8 | 24.5 |
2018 | 21.8 | 34.3 | 26.1 | 24.8 | 23.0 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Forms of employment associated with the digital economy may increase precarity
- STC is collaborating on the development of international standards and approaches to the measurement of new forms of employment and other aspects of an increasingly digital economy.
- Work obtained via digital platforms —and performed either in-person or virtually — is a small but potentially fast-growing component of total employment in Canada.
- This form of work may increase precarity by exposing self-employed workers to risks and dependencies without corresponding social protections.
In 2016, forms of employment which may be associated with gig employment were less common in Canada than in other OECD countries.

Description for chart 17 - Contribution of unincorporated self-employment (without emloyees) to total employment, OECD countries, 2016
percent | |
---|---|
Greece | 34.1 |
Turkey | 32.4 |
Mexico | 31.5 |
Chile | 26.5 |
Korea | 25.5 |
Italy | 23.9 |
Poland | 20.7 |
New Zealand | 17.9 |
Portugal | 17.8 |
Czech Republic | 17.2 |
Spain | 16.9 |
Ireland | 16.9 |
Netherlands | 16.8 |
United Kingdom | 15.4 |
Switzerland | 15.1 |
Belgium | 14.8 |
Slovenia | 14.2 |
Finland | 14.0 |
Israel | 12.8 |
Austria | 12.7 |
France | 11.8 |
Hungary | 10.7 |
Japan | 10.6 |
Germany | 10.4 |
Australia | 10.1 |
Sweden | 10.0 |
Denmark | 9.1 |
Canada | 8.6 |
Norway | 7.0 |
United States | 6.4 |
Source: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Labour Force Statistics: Summary tables |
Recent trends in an evolving labour market
- Labour market dynamics.
Core-aged and older women account for most of the labour force increase in the Atlantic provinces between 1976 and 2018

Description for chart 18 - Labour force, by sex and age group, Atlantic provinces, 1976 to 2018 (thousands)
Men, 15 to 24 years | Men, 25 to 54 years | Men, 55 years and over | Women, 15 to 24 years | Women, 25 to 54 years | Women, 55 years and over | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | 139.2 | 320.6 | 68.0 | 105.6 | 159.4 | 25.7 |
1977 | 139.1 | 327.6 | 66.0 | 110.2 | 165.6 | 25.9 |
1978 | 139.9 | 336.2 | 65.0 | 114.4 | 181.2 | 26.0 |
1979 | 144.8 | 345.9 | 66.2 | 116.3 | 191.8 | 28.2 |
1980 | 141.2 | 353.5 | 64.6 | 117.5 | 206.3 | 25.9 |
1981 | 136.8 | 358.7 | 63.5 | 120.2 | 219.4 | 26.0 |
1982 | 129.7 | 363.4 | 62.9 | 115.9 | 227.3 | 27.1 |
1983 | 131.3 | 370.8 | 62.2 | 115.5 | 240.1 | 27.0 |
1984 | 131.0 | 379.6 | 61.5 | 115.8 | 254.3 | 28.1 |
1985 | 129.4 | 389.4 | 62.0 | 115.8 | 268.7 | 27.6 |
1986 | 126.8 | 398.1 | 59.8 | 116.1 | 284.1 | 26.2 |
1987 | 125.3 | 404.6 | 56.7 | 114.6 | 295.4 | 26.8 |
1988 | 121.6 | 414.6 | 58.7 | 112.6 | 311.8 | 26.7 |
1989 | 121.2 | 422.2 | 57.5 | 111.7 | 328.7 | 27.6 |
1990 | 118.0 | 430.3 | 56.7 | 108.2 | 344.7 | 28.3 |
1991 | 114.1 | 430.8 | 56.9 | 103.8 | 351.6 | 27.8 |
1992 | 109.2 | 427.2 | 54.7 | 101.4 | 355.1 | 27.1 |
1993 | 106.4 | 431.0 | 53.6 | 98.4 | 360.6 | 29.3 |
1994 | 105.2 | 434.0 | 54.2 | 95.3 | 361.4 | 30.7 |
1995 | 102.5 | 433.7 | 54.6 | 92.8 | 366.4 | 29.6 |
1996 | 99.4 | 432.4 | 55.2 | 90.3 | 370.2 | 30.3 |
1997 | 96.1 | 440.2 | 56.2 | 85.6 | 380.4 | 32.1 |
1998 | 95.9 | 443.3 | 57.8 | 88.0 | 385.5 | 36.1 |
1999 | 96.9 | 445.8 | 60.5 | 90.1 | 390.3 | 38.3 |
2000 | 95.4 | 443.5 | 63.5 | 91.5 | 397.9 | 38.8 |
2001 | 98.7 | 441.1 | 67.7 | 94.0 | 402.6 | 42.0 |
2002 | 99.6 | 442.0 | 73.2 | 96.4 | 409.2 | 48.9 |
2003 | 101.1 | 437.3 | 81.7 | 97.1 | 408.9 | 55.3 |
2004 | 100.3 | 436.9 | 89.0 | 97.0 | 411.5 | 62.9 |
2005 | 97.5 | 431.0 | 92.3 | 95.7 | 408.8 | 67.0 |
2006 | 97.2 | 421.7 | 96.9 | 94.9 | 409.5 | 70.7 |
2007 | 95.0 | 417.9 | 105.3 | 95.3 | 409.6 | 76.9 |
2008 | 97.4 | 417.1 | 112.8 | 96.2 | 407.0 | 85.2 |
2009 | 96.6 | 417.0 | 118.2 | 92.5 | 406.7 | 90.2 |
2010 | 95.0 | 416.2 | 126.3 | 90.4 | 407.2 | 98.0 |
2011 | 93.8 | 415.5 | 129.3 | 91.0 | 403.2 | 104.0 |
2012 | 93.8 | 413.4 | 138.7 | 90.6 | 404.6 | 112.7 |
2013 | 91.9 | 408.4 | 144.7 | 87.6 | 402.4 | 116.3 |
2014 | 89.1 | 402.8 | 148.3 | 87.8 | 393.1 | 117.5 |
2015 | 89.3 | 397.9 | 148.0 | 86.8 | 389.9 | 120.8 |
2016 | 86.6 | 391.3 | 153.3 | 83.4 | 386.2 | 123.4 |
2017 | 84.4 | 388.1 | 153.8 | 81.9 | 382.1 | 128.5 |
2018 | 87.0 | 388.2 | 156.1 | 82.0 | 380.2 | 129.3 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Unemployment rates historically above the national average

Description for chart 19 - Unemployment rates for people aged 25 to 54, 1976 to 2018
Canada | Newfoundland and Labrador | Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | Moncton, N.B. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
percent | ||||||
1976 | 5.3 | 10.6 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 8.9 | .. |
1977 | 6.0 | 11.7 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 10.6 | .. |
1978 | 6.4 | 12.9 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 9.8 | .. |
1979 | 5.8 | 11.4 | 10.1 | 7.3 | 8.6 | .. |
1980 | 5.8 | 10.5 | 9.2 | 7.5 | 9.1 | .. |
1981 | 6.0 | 10.0 | 8.9 | 7.9 | 9.3 | .. |
1982 | 8.9 | 12.5 | 10.3 | 10.2 | 11.3 | .. |
1983 | 10.0 | 14.3 | 10.4 | 11.1 | 12.1 | .. |
1984 | 9.8 | 16.3 | 10.4 | 10.9 | 12.7 | .. |
1985 | 9.1 | 16.9 | 11.7 | 11.4 | 13.3 | .. |
1986 | 8.3 | 15.8 | 11.9 | 11.5 | 12.4 | .. |
1987 | 7.7 | 15.1 | 11.4 | 10.5 | 11.7 | .. |
1988 | 6.9 | 13.8 | 11.9 | 9.0 | 10.2 | .. |
1989 | 6.8 | 13.5 | 13.0 | 8.7 | 10.5 | .. |
1990 | 7.3 | 14.9 | 13.9 | 9.7 | 10.5 | .. |
1991 | 9.2 | 15.7 | 16.0 | 10.4 | 11.2 | .. |
1992 | 10.0 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 11.7 | 11.5 | .. |
1993 | 10.3 | 17.7 | 16.4 | 13.0 | 11.0 | .. |
1994 | 9.4 | 18.0 | 15.8 | 11.7 | 11.4 | .. |
1995 | 8.5 | 16.2 | 14.2 | 10.8 | 10.3 | .. |
1996 | 8.6 | 17.0 | 14.0 | 11.3 | 10.1 | .. |
1997 | 7.8 | 16.8 | 15.2 | 10.5 | 11.2 | .. |
1998 | 7.1 | 16.1 | 13.3 | 8.7 | 10.9 | .. |
1999 | 6.4 | 15.0 | 13.3 | 7.9 | 9.0 | .. |
2000 | 5.7 | 15.0 | 11.6 | 7.8 | 8.8 | .. |
2001 | 6.2 | 14.3 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 9.7 | 6.2 |
2002 | 6.6 | 15.6 | 11.2 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 5.9 |
2003 | 6.4 | 14.9 | 10.0 | 7.7 | 9.0 | 5.4 |
2004 | 6.0 | 14.6 | 10.0 | 7.6 | 8.8 | 5.1 |
2005 | 5.8 | 14.0 | 9.3 | 7.1 | 8.6 | 4.7 |
2006 | 5.3 | 13.4 | 10.2 | 6.7 | 7.7 | 4.9 |
2007 | 5.1 | 12.1 | 9.3 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 3.8 |
2008 | 5.1 | 11.8 | 9.0 | 6.5 | 7.2 | 3.7 |
2009 | 7.1 | 13.2 | 10.4 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 4.5 |
2010 | 6.9 | 12.7 | 10.0 | 8.7 | 7.5 | 4.8 |
2011 | 6.3 | 10.5 | 10.1 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 5.1 |
2012 | 6.0 | 10.4 | 9.2 | 7.4 | 8.7 | 5.6 |
2013 | 5.9 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 7.4 | 8.9 | 6.0 |
2014 | 5.8 | 10.2 | 8.4 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 5.7 |
2015 | 5.8 | 11.0 | 8.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 5.4 |
2016 | 6.0 | 11.9 | 8.9 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 5.2 |
2017 | 5.4 | 13.1 | 8.7 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 4.5 |
2018 | 4.9 | 11.8 | 8.0 | 6.1 | 6.7 | 4.5 |
.. not available for a specific reference period | ||||||
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Employment rates converging towards the national average in most Atlantic provinces

Description for chart 20 - Employment rates for people aged 25 to 54, 1976 to 2018 (percent)
Canada | Newfoundland and Labrador | Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | Moncton, N.B. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | 69.6 | 54.4 | 65.3 | 64.0 | 60.8 | .. | |
1977 | 69.6 | 54.6 | 65.4 | 63.2 | 59.2 | .. | |
1978 | 70.7 | 55.2 | 67.3 | 64.7 | 61.7 | .. | |
1979 | 72.0 | 58.5 | 67.7 | 65.9 | 62.5 | .. | |
1980 | 72.9 | 59.6 | 68.7 | 67.1 | 63.6 | .. | |
1981 | 74.0 | 60.3 | 69.3 | 67.8 | 64.6 | .. | |
1982 | 71.6 | 59.5 | 67.7 | 66.5 | 62.1 | .. | |
1983 | 71.5 | 58.1 | 69.1 | 66.4 | 62.3 | .. | |
1984 | 72.2 | 58.1 | 69.1 | 67.9 | 61.7 | .. | |
1985 | 73.7 | 58.7 | 69.9 | 67.8 | 62.6 | .. | |
1986 | 75.2 | 60.0 | 70.8 | 68.5 | 65.4 | .. | |
1987 | 76.2 | 60.9 | 72.7 | 69.6 | 66.3 | .. | |
1988 | 77.6 | 62.8 | 73.7 | 71.6 | 68.7 | .. | |
1989 | 78.3 | 63.7 | 73.2 | 72.6 | 69.3 | .. | |
1990 | 78.1 | 63.2 | 73.4 | 73.0 | 69.8 | .. | |
1991 | 76.4 | 62.3 | 71.0 | 72.4 | 68.3 | .. | |
1992 | 75.0 | 58.5 | 71.1 | 70.3 | 68.0 | .. | |
1993 | 74.9 | 58.6 | 71.1 | 69.2 | 68.7 | .. | |
1994 | 75.5 | 58.2 | 72.1 | 69.9 | 68.2 | .. | |
1995 | 76.2 | 59.6 | 73.0 | 70.0 | 69.6 | .. | |
1996 | 76.2 | 58.0 | 73.8 | 70.0 | 69.6 | .. | |
1997 | 77.3 | 59.8 | 72.5 | 71.3 | 70.6 | .. | |
1998 | 78.4 | 61.6 | 74.2 | 73.6 | 71.2 | .. | |
1999 | 79.2 | 64.5 | 74.6 | 74.5 | 73.0 | .. | |
2000 | 79.9 | 64.0 | 77.2 | 75.4 | 74.1 | .. | |
2001 | 79.8 | 66.0 | 78.0 | 75.7 | 73.5 | 80.4 | |
2002 | 80.3 | 66.2 | 78.1 | 76.9 | 75.7 | 82.7 | |
2003 | 80.8 | 66.9 | 79.3 | 77.2 | 75.9 | 84.1 | |
2004 | 81.3 | 67.5 | 79.7 | 78.4 | 76.9 | 84.9 | |
2005 | 81.3 | 68.2 | 80.2 | 78.6 | 77.1 | 84.8 | |
2006 | 81.6 | 69.8 | 80.3 | 78.2 | 78.3 | 84.5 | |
2007 | 82.2 | 70.8 | 80.0 | 79.3 | 79.1 | 84.7 | |
2008 | 82.3 | 71.4 | 80.5 | 79.4 | 79.4 | 86.0 | |
2009 | 80.3 | 70.4 | 79.6 | 78.7 | 79.8 | 85.5 | |
2010 | 80.5 | 71.4 | 79.4 | 78.6 | 79.3 | 85.0 | |
2011 | 81.0 | 73.8 | 79.6 | 79.6 | 78.8 | 85.6 | |
2012 | 81.4 | 75.5 | 81.8 | 80.0 | 78.5 | 84.9 | |
2013 | 81.6 | 76.3 | 81.2 | 80.1 | 79.3 | 84.9 | |
2014 | 81.2 | 75.8 | 82.2 | 79.8 | 79.1 | 84.7 | |
2015 | 81.4 | 74.6 | 82.2 | 80.2 | 79.7 | 84.4 | |
2016 | 81.4 | 74.3 | 79.5 | 79.3 | 80.1 | 84.9 | |
2017 | 82.3 | 72.6 | 80.5 | 80.3 | 80.3 | 83.0 | |
2018 | 82.7 | 74.1 | 81.5 | 81.2 | 80.7 | 84.6 | |
.. not available for a specific reference period | |||||||
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Lower projected labour force participation in Atlantic Canada outside CMAs

Description for chart 21 - Lower projected labour force participation rate in Atlantic Canada outside CMAs
2017 | 2036 | |
---|---|---|
percent | ||
Atlantic Canada CMAs | 65.9 | 60.4 |
Atlantic Canada outside CMAs | 58.4 | 53.2 |
Canada | 65.7 | 63.2 |
Notes: Reference scenario. Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey and Demosim 2017 (2036). |
Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio higher in Atlantic Canada

Description for chart 22 - Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio by province, 2018
ratio | |
---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | 9.3 |
Saskatchewan | 3.7 |
Prince Edward Island | 3.6 |
Nova Scotia | 3.4 |
New Brunswick | 3.3 |
Alberta | 2.9 |
Manitoba | 2.8 |
Quebec | 2.2 |
Canada | 2.2 |
Ontario | 2.1 |
British Columbia | 1.2 |
Sources: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey and Job Vacancy and Wage Survey. |
Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio in the Atlantic provinces varies considerably by occupation

Description for chart 23 - Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio, Business, finance and administration occupations, 2018
Canada | Newfoundland and Labrador | Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio | |||||
Business, finance and administration occupations | 1.5 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
Sources: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey and Job Vacancy and Wage Survey. |

Description for chart 24 - Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio, Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations, 2018
Canada | Newfoundland and Labrador | Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia | New Brunswick | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio | |||||
Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations | 2.0 | 34.3 | 9.4 | 7.2 | 8.7 |
Sources: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey and Job Vacancy and Wage Survey. |
Recent trends in an evolving labour market
- Diverse landscape of regional labour markets.
Regional labour markets in the Atlantic provinces
- Labour market indicators tend to vary greatly between regional labour markets in the Atlantic provinces.
- Similar to what is observed across Canada, unemployment rates tend to be higher in regions outside large population centers.
Unemployment rates ranging from 6.0% in Halifax, N.S. to 18.6% in South Coast-Burin Peninsula, N.L.

Description for map 2 - Unemployment rates by economic regions in the Atlantic provinces, 2018
Economic region (perce | Unemployment rate (percent) |
---|---|
South Coast-Burin Peninsula, N.L. | 18.6 |
Notre Dame-Central Bonavista Bay, N.L. | 18.2 |
West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador, N.L. | 16.1 |
Cape Breton, N.S. | 15.1 |
Campbellton-Miramichi, N.B. | 12.3 |
Avalon Peninsula, N.L. | 11.1 |
Prince Edward Island | 9.4 |
North Shore, N.S. | 8.5 |
Fredericton-Oromocto, N.B. | 7.5 |
Annapolis Valley, N.S. | 7.1 |
Saint John-St. Stephen, N.B. | 7.0 |
Moncton-Richibucto, N.B. | 6.8 |
Southern, N.S. | 6.5 |
Edmundston-Woodstock, N.B. | 6.5 |
Halifax, N.S. | 6.0 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Regional labour markets in the Atlantic provinces
- Even more diversity within regions…
Unemployment rates ranging from 4.1% in Madawaska, N.B. to 24.2% in Division No. 4, N.L.

Description for map 3 - Unemployment rates by Census subdivision, Atlantic provinces, 2018
Census subdivision | Unemployment rate (percent) |
---|---|
Division No. 4, N.L. | 24.2 |
Division No. 2, N.L. | 23.4 |
Division No. 7, N.L. | 23.2 |
Division No. 9, N.L. | 21.4 |
Division No. 8, N.L. | 20.9 |
Victoria County, N.S. | 18.7 |
Kings County, P.E.I. | 16.6 |
Cape Breton County, N.S. | 15.3 |
Queens County, N.B. | 15.3 |
Division No. 3, N.L. | 15.0 |
Division No. 5, N.L. | 14.3 |
Richmond County, N.S. | 13.9 |
Inverness County, N.S. | 13.4 |
Gloucester County, N.B. | 13.1 |
Northumberland County, N.B. | 12.4 |
Prince County, P.E.I. | 11.3 |
Division No. 1, N.L. | 11.1 |
Division No. 6, N.L. | 10.7 |
Division No. 10, N.L. | 10.7 |
Pictou County, N.S. | 10.5 |
Antigonish County, N.S. | 10.5 |
Kent County, N.B. | 10.3 |
Restigouche County, N.B. | 10.2 |
Digby County, N.S. | 9.5 |
Shelburne County, N.S. | 9.4 |
Charlotte County, N.B. | 9.3 |
Sunbury County, N.B. | 9.2 |
Annapolis County, N.S. | 8.0 |
Carleton County, N.B. | 8.0 |
Saint John County, N.B. | 7.9 |
Hants County, N.S. | 7.4 |
Cumberland County, N.S. | 7.4 |
Queens County, P.E.I. | 7.1 |
Victoria County, N.B. | 7.1 |
York County, N.B. | 6.7 |
Westmorland County, N.B. | 6.5 |
Kings County, N.S. | 6.4 |
Colchester County, N.S. | 6.2 |
Halifax County, N.S. | 6.0 |
Kings County, N.B. | 5.7 |
Yarmouth County, N.S. | 5.4 |
Lunenburg County, N.S. | 5.4 |
Albert County, N.B. | 5.0 |
Madawaska County, N.B. | 4.1 |
Division No. 11, N.L. | x |
Guysborough County, N.S. | x |
Queens County, N.S. | x |
x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
In economic regions with high unemployment, jobs are more likely to be temporary

Description for chart 25 - Unemployment rate and percentage of employees in temporary positions, Atlantic Canada by economic region, 2018 (percentage)
Economic region | Tempory employees rate | Unemployment rate |
---|---|---|
Avalon Peninsula, N.L. | 20.5 | 11.1 |
West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador, N.L. | 24.0 | 16.2 |
South Coast-Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central Bonavista Bay, N.L. | 27.1 | 18.2 |
Prince Edward Island | 21.0 | 9.4 |
Cape Breton, N.S. | 21.8 | 15.1 |
North Shore, N.S. | 15.7 | 8.5 |
Annapolis Valley, N.S. | 14.3 | 7.1 |
Southern, N.S. | 16.4 | 6.5 |
Halifax, N.S. | 25.0 | 5.9 |
Campbellton-Miramichi, N.B. | 25.0 | 12.4 |
Moncton-Richibucto, N.B. | 14.9 | 6.8 |
Saint John-St. Stephen, N.B. | 13.9 | 7.0 |
Fredericton-Oromocto, N.B. | 16.9 | 7.5 |
Edmundston-Woodstock, N.B. | 14.7 | 6.4 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Population aging and its impact on participation rates
- Not all regional labour markets facing the same challenge when it comes to population aging.
- Participation rates generally lower than the national average (65.4%) in the Atlantic economic regions.
- However, some regions show participation rates close to orabove the national average:
- Halifax: 68.1%
- Prince Edward Island: 66.7%
- Moncton-Richibucto: 63.5%

Description for map 4 - Participation rates by economic region, Atlantic provinces, 2018
Economic regions | Participation rate (percent) |
---|---|
Halifax, N.S. | 68.1 |
Prince Edward Island | 66.7 |
Moncton-Richibucto, N.B. | 63.5 |
Fredericton-Oromocto, N.B. | 62.7 |
Avalon Peninsula, N.L. | 62.1 |
Edmundston-Woodstock, N.B. | 62.0 |
Saint John-St. Stephen, N.B. | 61.8 |
Annapolis Valley, N.S. | 58.9 |
West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador, N.L. | 57.8 |
North Shore, N.S. | 57.1 |
Southern, N.S. | 56.7 |
South Coast-Burin Peninsula, N.L. | 56.4 |
Campbellton-Miramichi, N.B. | 55.9 |
Cape Breton, N.S. | 52.7 |
Notre Dame-Central Bonavista Bay, N.L. | 52.4 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Immigration lower in regions with older workforce

Description for chart 26 - Proportion of immigrants in total population and proportion of workers 55 years and over by economic region, 2018
Economic region | Proportion of workers 55 years and over | Proportion of immigrants in total population |
---|---|---|
Annapolis Valley, N.S. | 24.8 | 0.17 |
Avalon Peninsula, N.L. | 19.6 | 0.33 |
Campbellton-Miramichi, N.B. | 27.4 | 0.09 |
Cape Breton, N.S. | 27.4 | 0.16 |
Edmundston-Woodstock, N.B. | 26.3 | 0.25 |
Fredericton-Oromocto, N.B. | 23.4 | 1.03 |
Halifax, N.S. | 19.8 | 1.01 |
Moncton-Richibucto, N.B. | 20.8 | 0.62 |
North Shore, N.S. | 28.6 | 0.14 |
Notre Dame-Central Bonavista Bay, N.L. | 24.6 | 0.08 |
Prince Edward Island | 25.1 | 1.37 |
Saint John-St. Stephen, N.B. | 22.2 | 0.54 |
South Coast-Burin Peninsula, N.L. | 27.6 | 0.03 |
Southern, N.S. | 28.4 | 0.12 |
West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador, N.L. | 25.7 | 0.25 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio by economic region

Description for chart 27 - Unemployed-to-job vacancy ratio by economic region, 2018
ratio | |
---|---|
South Coast-Burin Peninsula and Notre Dame-Central Bonavista Bay, N.L. | 18.7 |
West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador, N.L. | 9.3 |
Cape Breton, N.S. | 8.0 |
Avalon Peninsula, N.L. | 6.8 |
Campbellton-Miramichi, N.B. | 6.8 |
Annapolis Valley, N.S. | 4.3 |
North Shore, N.S. | 4.1 |
Fredericton-Oromocto, N.B. | 3.7 |
Prince Edward Island | 3.6 |
Southern, N.S. | 3.0 |
Saint John-St. Stephen, N.B. | 2.9 |
Edmundston-Woodstock, N.B. | 2.7 |
Halifax, N.S. | 2.4 |
Moncton-Richibucto, N.B. | 2.3 |
Canada | 2.2 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey and Job Vacancy and Wage Survey. |
Opportunities in the Atlantic region
In 2017, 116 instances for which the average wage paid for an occupation was higher in an Atlantic economic region than the national average wage paid for that same occupation.

Description for map 5 - Difference between the regional average full-time wage paid for an occcupation and the national average full-time wage paid for the same occupation, by select occupations and economic regions, 2018
Economic region | Occupation | Wage differential (percent) |
---|---|---|
West Coast-Northern Peninsula-Labrador, N.L. | Machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trade | 47 |
Campbellton-Miramichi, N.B. | Specialized occupations in personal and customer services | 43 |
Cape Breton, N.S. | Administrative services supervisors | 36 |
Annapolis Valley, N.S. | Managers in agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture | 25 |
Prince Edward Island | Human resources and business service professionals | 12 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. |
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Leading Edge Methods & Data Integration
Consumption
Supporting quality decisions by citizens, their governments and businesses based on evidence.
Flexible & Modern Workplace
Vision for analyzing tomorrow's labour market
Statistics Canada is committed to modernizing and building on existing labour market measures by:
- Adapting measures of employment and quality of work to fully capture the effects of globalisation and the digital economy.
- Addressing data gaps related to automation, technological change and skills.
- Facilitating decision-making with increased local and granular labour market information.
- Testing new questions for the 2021 Census in order to update labour and journey to work content.
Continuing to build and foster relationships with our partners and stakeholders
Ongoing consultation on …
- Concepts, measures and indicators
- Data sources
- New questions and updated content for the 2021 Census
- Alternative collection methods
With...
- Governmental and community partners, such as Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
- Independent agencies, such as the Labour Market Information Council.
- Data users across the country, such as students, academic experts and survey participants.
Going forward: Measuring new forms of employment
- One-time basis questions added in September 2018
- Reasons for working for population aged 60 and over
- Young people not in employment, education or training (NEET)
- Trends in temporary employment
- Self-employed Canadians: Who and why?
- Beginning in November 2019, 5 questions will be added to the LFS on an on-going basis
- Multiple job holders
- Earnings of self-employed
- Access to employment benefits
- Main activity of those not in the labour force
- Reasons for working beyond age 60
- Statistics Canada – ESDC Working Group on Quality of Employment
- Indicators of job precarity
- Skills and skills mismatches
- Electronically mediated employment
Small Area Estimation: Increasing precision of sub-provincial labour market indicators
- Combining multiple data sources
- Successful pilot project conducted in 2017
- Increasing both the quality and availability of CA and CMA estimates
- Transition to standard product: Available to the public on the Statistics Canada website by the end of 2019
Dissemination of new data, analytical and reference products
Innovative tools for a comprehensive picture of regional labour markets.
Labour Force Survey in Brief: Interactive App
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