The number of unemployed persons in Canada decreased to 1482.40 Thousand in May of 2026 from 1566.40 Thousand in April of 2026. Unemployed Persons in Canada averaged 1275.72 Thousand from 1976 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 2720.50 Thousand in May of 2020 and a record low of 691.50 Thousand in March of 1976. source: Statistics Canada

Unemployed Persons in Canada is expected to be 1590.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Canada Unemployed Persons is projected to trend around 1630.00 Thousand in 2027 and 1590.00 Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Wages 38.76 38.69 CAD Apr 2026
Employed Persons 21121.50 21033.70 Thousand May 2026
Employment Change 87.80 -17.70 Thousand May 2026
Employment Rate 60.70 60.50 percent May 2026
Full Time Employment Chg 154.00 -46.70 Thousand May 2026
Job Vacancies 495125.00 492475.00 Dec 2025
Participation Rate 65.00 65.00 percent May 2026
Labour Costs 133.75 131.95 points Mar 2026
Minimum Wages 17.95 17.60 CAD/Hour Oct 2026
Non Farm Payrolls 18272.00 18304.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Part Time Employment Chg -66.20 29.00 Thousand May 2026
Population 41.65 41.26 Million Dec 2025
Labor Productivity 104.82 104.96 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1482.40 1566.40 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.60 6.90 percent May 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 3.50 2.85 percent Mar 2026
Wages 32.86 32.99 CAD/Hour Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 31.58 32.43 CAD/Hour Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 13.40 14.30 percent May 2026


Canada Unemployed Persons
In Canada, unemployed persons are individuals who are without a job and actively seeking to work.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
1482.40 1566.40 2720.50 691.50 1976 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
SA