Regional unemployment rates used by the Employment Insurance program, by effective date, current month.

This statistic shows the rate of unemployment in Ontario, Canada from 2000 to 2023. In 2023, 5.7 percent of the labor force was unemployed in Ontario.

The number of people who are unemployed as a percentage of the active labour force (i.e. employed and unemployed).

Unemployment rate, participation rate, and employment rate by educational attainment, gender and age group, annual.

The statistic shows the unemployment rate in Canada from 2019 to 2023, with projections up until 2029. In 2023, the unemployment rate in Canada was at around 5.41 percent. Canada’s economy Three-quarter of Canada’s workforce is employed in the services sector, with the other two sectors, agriculture and industry, accounting for the rest of Canada’s employment. The country’s main export and import partner is the United States. Although both export and import figures have increased over the last few years, the trade balance of goods in Canada – i.e. the value of Canada’s exports minus the value of its imports – has slumped dramatically since the economic crisis hit in 2008. In 2009, for the first time in a decade, Canada reported a trade deficit, and the figures are still struggling to recover. Additionally, Canada’s public debt has been increasing since the crisis. Although a few key figures are still not back to the usual level, Canada and its economy seem to have more or less bounced back from the crisis; as can be seen above, the unemployment rate is gradually decreasing, for example, and gross domestic product / GDP in Canada has been increasing steadily. Canada is thus among the countries with the largest proportion of global gross domestic product / GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity. Canada is among the leading trading nations worldwide, and an important part of its economy is the export of oil. The country hosts significant oil resources, in fact, its capacity is the third-largest after those of Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Number of persons in the labour force (employment and unemployment), unemployment rate, participation rate and employment rate by Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver census metropolitan areas, last 5 months. Data are also available for the standard error of the estimate, the standard error of the month-to-month change and the standard error of the year-over-year change.

Unemployment rates of 25- to 29-year-olds, by educational attainment, Canada and jurisdictions. This table is included in Section E: Transitions and outcomes: Labour market outcomes of the Pan Canadian Education Indicators Program (PCEIP). PCEIP draws from a wide variety of data sources to provide information on the school-age population, elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, transitions, and labour market outcomes. The program presents indicators for all of Canada, the provinces, the territories, as well as selected international comparisons and comparisons over time. PCEIP is an ongoing initiative of the Canadian Education Statistics Council, a partnership between Statistics Canada and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada that provides a set of statistical measures on education systems in Canada.

In 2023, 5.4 percent of the labor force in Canada was unemployed. This is a slight increase from the previous year, when unemployment stood at 5.3 percent.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Canada decreased to 12.90 percent in February from 13.60 percent in January of 2025. This dataset provides - Canada Youth Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2023, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest unemployment rate in Canada. That year, it had a ten percent unemployment rate. In comparison, Québec had the lowest unemployment rate at 4.5 percent.

Nunavut

Nunavut is the largest and most northern province of Canada. Their economy is powered by many industries which include mining, oil, gas, hunting, fishing, and transportation. They have a high amount of mineral resources and many of their jobs come from mining, however, the territory still suffers from a high unemployment rate, which has fluctuated since 2004. The lack of necessary education, skills, and mobility are all factors that play a part in unemployment. Most of the population identifies as Inuit. Their official languages include English, French, and several Inuit languages. The capital is Iqaluit, which is their largest community and only city. The climate in Nunavut is a polar climate due to its high latitude, and as a result, it rarely goes above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unemployment in Canada

The unemployment rate in Canada had been decreasing since 2009, but increased to 9.7 percent in 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Since 2006, landed immigrants have faced higher unemployment rates compared to those born in Canada. Youth unemployment in Canada has fluctuated since 1998, but has always remained in the double digits. Additionally, the average duration of unemployment in Canada in 2023 was about 17.4 weeks.

The unemployment rate in Canada increased by 0.1 percentage points (+1.89 percent) in 2023 in comparison to the previous year. In total, the unemployment rate amounted to 5.37 percent in 2023. This increase was preceded by a declining unemployment rate.The unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed, those aged under 15 years, or retired persons.

Number of persons in the labour force (employment and unemployment), unemployment rate, participation rate and employment rate by data type (seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle), gender and age group. Data are also available for the standard error of the estimate, the standard error of the month-to-month change and the standard error of the year-over-year change.

The age groups available in the data set are: 15+, 15-64, 15-19, 20-24, 25-44, 45-54, 55-64 and 65+.

The duration of unemployment includes: 1-4 weeks, 5-13 weeks, 14-25 weeks, 26 weeks, 27 weeks+, 27-51 weeks, 52 weeks, 53 weeks+, duration unknown and average weeks unemployed).

Number of persons in the labour force (employment and unemployment), unemployment rate, participation rate and employment rate by province, gender and age group. Data are presented for 12 months earlier, previous month and current month, as well as year-over-year and month-to-month level change and percentage change. Data are also available for the standard error of the estimate, the standard error of the month-to-month change and the standard error of the year-over-year change.

Unemployment rate and employment rate by type of student during summer months, gender and age group. Data are also available for the standard error of the estimate and the standard error of the year-over-year change.

This statistic shows the unemployment rate in Canada in June 2024, by metropolitan area. In 2024, about 8.5 percent of the labor force in the Calgary metropolitan area (Alberta) was unemployed.

Number of persons in the labour force (employment and unemployment), unemployment rate, participation rate and employment rate by Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver census metropolitan areas. Data are presented for 12 months earlier, previous month and current month, as well as year-over-year and month-to-month level change and percentage change. Data are also available for the standard error of the estimate, the standard error of the month-tomonth change and the standard error of the year-over-year change.

This statistic shows the unemployment rate in Canada in 2023, distinguished by immigrant status. In 2023, about 5.1 percent of people born in Canada were unemployed.

The youth unemployment rate in Canada increased by 0.5 percentage points (+4.95 percent) in 2023 in comparison to the previous year. In total, the youth unemployment rate amounted to 10.59 percent in 2023. This increase was preceded by a declining youth unemployment rate.The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce aged 15 to 24 that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.Find more key insights for the youth unemployment rate in countries like Mexico and United States.

Number of persons in the labour force (employment and unemployment) and not in the labour force, unemployment rate, participation rate, and employment rate, by immigrant status and age group, last 5 years.