The Greater Halifax area has an exceptionally high level of labour force participation. In October 2008, Greater Halifax’s level of participation was 69.4%. This rate is 1.5 percentage points above the national average, and one of the top ten highest rates in the country.
The unemployment rate for Greater Halifax stands at 5.3% for October 2008.
Greater Halifax possesses a diversified and highly skilled workforce. In 2006, 63,100 people in Greater Halifax worked in management, business, finance, and administration-related jobs while 57,400 worked in sales and service positions.
| level of
employment |
| Primary Industry | 1,700 |
| Processing, Manufacturing & utilities | 4,300 |
| Art, culture, recreation & sport | 6,000 |
| Health | 13,000 |
| Natural and applied sciences | 15,700 |
| Social sciences, education & government | 19,100 |
| Management | 20,400 |
| Trades, transport & equipment | 24,600 |
| Business, finance & administration | 42,700 |
| Sales & Service | 57,400 |
Source: Nova Scotia Statistical Review, 2007