Halifax: metropolitan economy at a glance
Latest values, ranks among fourteen metropolitan areas and charts for Halifax, computed from Statistics Canada tables that use the same definitions as the large-city reports. A written city dashboard is on the Halifax city page; nothing here is an editorial finding.
Opens a workspace prepared from the published Halifax measures, with what is missing stated.
Halifax among fourteen metropolitan areas
The six large cities and eight more, same tables. Rank 1 is the highest value, which is not always the most favourable outcome.
| Measure | Latest | Period | Rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (3-month average) %, SA | 5.4% | 2026-10 | 12 of 14 |
| Employment rate (3-month average) %, SA | 65.0% | 2026-10 | 4 of 14 |
| Population (July 1) persons | 544,834 | 2025 | 12 of 14 |
| GDP at basic prices (current dollars; lags about 3.5 years) C$ billions | $30.3 billion | 2022 | 12 of 14 |
Labour, people and output
Halifax is emphasised; the seven other areas in this group are shown for context.
Unemployment rate: eight more metropolitan areas
Percent, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted (same table as the six large cities).
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Latest values: Halifax CMA 5.4 (2026-10); Winnipeg CMA 5 (2026-10); Québec CMA 4.5 (2026-10); Hamilton CMA 7.6 (2026-10); and 4 more in the data table.
Related relationships: Winnipeg · Halifax · Hamilton · London
Employment rate: eight more metropolitan areas
Percent of the population aged 15 and over, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted.
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Latest values: Halifax CMA 65 (2026-10); Winnipeg CMA 64.3 (2026-10); Québec CMA 63.4 (2026-10); Hamilton CMA 60.7 (2026-10); and 4 more in the data table.
Population: eight more metropolitan areas, indexed
July 1 estimates, 2021 boundaries; start of period = 100.
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Latest values: Halifax CMA 544,800 (2025); Winnipeg CMA 951,800 (2025); Québec CMA 903,600 (2025); Hamilton CMA 871,100 (2025); and 4 more in the data table.
Related relationships: Winnipeg · Halifax · Hamilton · London
GDP at basic prices: eight more metropolitan areas, indexed
Annual, current dollars; start of period = 100. Statistics Canada table 36-10-0468-01; the reference year lags the present by about three and a half years.
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Latest values: Halifax CMA 30,310,000,000 (2022); Winnipeg CMA 52,090,000,000 (2022); Québec CMA 59,040,000,000 (2022); Hamilton CMA 44,090,000,000 (2022); and 4 more in the data table.
Jobs by sector, 2021 Census
Share of jobs located in the metropolitan area (at home or usual workplace; no fixed workplace address excluded), May 2021 reference week under pandemic conditions. Structure at one date, not current conditions.
| Sector | Share of jobs | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 14.7% | 29,875 |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | 24,225 |
| Public administration | 11.8% | 23,915 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 10.3% | 20,970 |
| Educational services | 8.9% | 18,170 |
| Finance and insurance | 5.9% | 11,940 |
| Accommodation and food services | 5.2% | 10,575 |
| Manufacturing | 5.0% | 10,165 |
The eight largest sectors of 203,510 jobs are shown; counts are rounded by Statistics Canada.
What this profile does not cover
Listed so that silence is not mistaken for absence of an issue.
- Consumer prices, housing starts and prices, building permits and manufacturing sales (held only for the six large cities)
- Wages and employment by industry over time (the annual metropolitan industry tables are archived)
- Local public finances, major projects and investment, policy changes
- Why Halifax differs from other places; a written outlook or forecast