Labour force
Employment, unemployment, and participation rates for the province since 1976, by gender, youth, economic region, and city.
NL and Canada, 1976 to 2025
The province has always been above the national rate. The gap was 13 points in the mid-nineties; in 2025 it is 3.3 points.
By gender
Women's unemployment has been below men's for every year since 2001. In 2025 the gap is 4.4 percentage points.
Youth (15 to 24)
The youth population fell from 116,100 in 1976 to 53,900 in 2021 before turning around. Their unemployment peaked at 32.4% in 1984.
Youth population (15 to 24), 1976 to 2025
The number of 15-to-24-year-olds in the province.
By region
Unemployment rate by economic region, 2011 to 2025. The Avalon runs well below the rest of the province.
By city
Unemployment rate for St. John's (Census Metropolitan Area) and Corner Brook (Census Agglomeration).
Where NL sits, 2025
Unemployment rate by province, annual average 2025. NL remains the highest in the country.
| Province | Rate |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 10.1% |
| Prince Edward Island | 8.0% |
| Ontario | 7.7% |
| Alberta | 7.2% |
| New Brunswick | 7.1% |
| Nova Scotia | 6.6% |
| British Columbia | 6.2% |
| Manitoba | 5.9% |
| Quebec | 5.6% |
| Saskatchewan | 5.2% |
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