Nova Scotia Department of Finance - Economics and Statistics
Labour Force Survey Results: October 2025
The October labour force survey reflects data from the period of October 12 to 18, 2025, for individuals aged 15 and older (seasonally adjusted data comparing October 2025 to September 2025).
Employment in Nova Scotia decreased by 4,400 persons (-0.8%) to a total of 521,000 in October, following a rise of 1,300 (+0.2%) the previous month. Both full-time employment and part-time employment declined, with full-time jobs decreasing by 800 and part-time by 3,500.
Visible Minority Categories in the Labour Force Survey
The survey classifies respondents by visible minority groups, consistent with Census categories. These include:
- White
- South Asian (e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan)
- Chinese
- Black
- Filipino
- Arab
- Latin American
- Southeast Asian (e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai)
- West Asian (e.g., Iranian, Afghan)
- Korean
- Other
As of October 2025 (three-month moving average, unadjusted), the national unemployment rate varies by these self-identified visible minority groups.
Population and Household Data for Nova Scotia
On July 1, 2025, Nova Scotia's population was 1,093,245. Statistics Canada further detailed the population into household groups.
There were 484,634 households in total, with the following composition:
- About 70% of households consisted of one or two persons
- Approximately 25% had three or four persons
- Households with five or more persons made up about 5%
"Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment declined 4,400 (-0.8%) to 521,000 in October, following an increase of 1,300 (+0.2%) in the previous month."
"The Labour Force Survey asks respondents about whether they identify with visible minority categories (as used in the Census)..."
"On July 1, 2025 there were 484,634 households in Nova Scotia. Of these, about 70% were 1 or 2 person households."
Author's summary: In October 2025, Nova Scotia experienced a decrease in employment affecting both full and part-time jobs, while its population houses are predominantly small, with 70% having one or two occupants.