The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.9% in April of 2026 from 6.7% in the previous month, overshooting expectations that it would remain unchanged at 6.7% to mark the highest jobless rate in six months. The number of unemployed people rose by 51.2 thousand from the previous month, or 3.4%, to 1.566 million. The increase was partially explained by a 33.5 thousand increase in the labor force as more Canadians entered the job market to look for employment, lifting the labor force participation rate by 0.1 percentage points to 65%. In turn, the proportion of the unemployed population that has been looking for work for six months or more was little changed at 22.5%, remaining above the long-term average of 17.1%. The monthly layoff rate was at 0.6%, in line with the pre-pandemic average. Meanwhile, net employment unexpectedly fell by 17.7 thousand, missing expectations of a 15 thousand gain. source: Statistics Canada

Unemployment Rate in Canada increased to 6.90 percent in April from 6.70 percent in March of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Canada averaged 7.55 percent from 1966 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 14.20 percent in May of 2020 and a record low of 2.90 percent in June of 1966. This page provides - Canada Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Canada Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Canada increased to 6.90 percent in April from 6.70 percent in March of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Canada is expected to be 7.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Canada Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 6.30 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-10 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Mar 6.7% 6.7% 6.8% 6.90%
2026-05-08 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 6.9% 6.7% 6.7% 6.7%
2026-06-05 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
May 6.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Wages 38.76 38.69 CAD Apr 2026
Employed Persons 21033.70 21051.40 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Change -17.70 14.10 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Rate 60.50 60.60 percent Apr 2026
Full Time Employment Chg -46.70 -1.10 Thousand Apr 2026
Job Vacancies 495125.00 492475.00 Dec 2025
Participation Rate 65.00 64.90 percent Apr 2026
Labour Costs 131.71 130.84 points Dec 2025
Minimum Wages 17.60 17.20 CAD/Hour Oct 2025
Non Farm Payrolls 18282.00 18343.00 Thousand Feb 2026
Part Time Employment Chg 29.00 15.20 Thousand Apr 2026
Population 41.65 41.26 Million Dec 2025
Labor Productivity 104.42 103.48 points Sep 2025
Unemployed Persons 1566.40 1515.20 Thousand Apr 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.90 6.70 percent Apr 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 3.40 1.93 percent Feb 2026
Wages 33.04 32.72 CAD/Hour Feb 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 32.11 32.47 CAD/Hour Feb 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 14.30 13.80 percent Apr 2026


Canada Unemployment Rate
In Canada, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6.90 6.70 14.20 2.90 1966 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Canada Unemployment Rate Rises to 6-Month High
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.9% in April of 2026 from 6.7% in the previous month, overshooting expectations that it would remain unchanged at 6.7% to mark the highest jobless rate in six months. The number of unemployed people rose by 51.2 thousand from the previous month, or 3.4%, to 1.566 million. The increase was partially explained by a 33.5 thousand increase in the labor force as more Canadians entered the job market to look for employment, lifting the labor force participation rate by 0.1 percentage points to 65%. In turn, the proportion of the unemployed population that has been looking for work for six months or more was little changed at 22.5%, remaining above the long-term average of 17.1%. The monthly layoff rate was at 0.6%, in line with the pre-pandemic average. Meanwhile, net employment unexpectedly fell by 17.7 thousand, missing expectations of a 15 thousand gain.
2026-05-08
Canada Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 6.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.7% in March 2026, unchanged from the prior month and slightly below the expected 6.8%. This figure is below the 7.1% peak observed in August and September 2025 and shows little change compared to the same period last year. The number of unemployed individuals rose by 1,000, while employment levels increased by 14,100, just shy of the forecasted 15,000, driven by a rise in part-time work, which offset a decline in full-time positions. For those in the core working age group (25–54), the unemployment rate stayed virtually unchanged at 5.8% for both men and women. Among youth aged 15–24, the unemployment rate remained steady at 13.8% in March, after rising by 1.3 percentage points in February. For individuals aged 55 and older, the unemployment rate held firm at 4.9% for the month. Both the employment rate (60.6%) and the participation rate (64.9%) showed no change in March.
2026-04-10
Canada Jobless Rate Rebounds From 16-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.7% in February 2026 from the lowest in sixteen months of 6.5% in the previous month and above the expected 6.6% increase, reflecting an increment in the number of people searching for work and a contraction in employment. The increase followed the prior month's decline and reflected a 56,700 rise in the number of unemployed to over 1.51 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 27,200, pushing the participation rate down to 64.9% from 65.0%. Net employment fell by 84,000 to 21.04 million, continuing the recent downward trend. Losses were driven by a 108,000 decline in full-time employment, partly offset by a 24,500 increase in part-time work.
2026-03-13