The Greater Halifax area has an exceptionally high level of labour force participation. In November 2008, Greater Halifax’s level of participation was 70.4%. This rate is 2.8 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 5.2% for November 2008. This rate is 1.1 percentage points below the national average, and one of the top ten lowest rates in the country.
Employment
Despite job cuts throughout the country, the number of people employed in Greater Halifax jumped by 3,500 from October to November 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