What is the labour force survey and what does it tell us?
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a monthly household survey conducted by Statistics Canada. The LFS provides insights into national, provincial, territorial, and regional labour trends. According to the Guide to the Labour Force Survey 2025, produced by Statistics Canada, the objective of the LFS is to: “divide the working-age population into three mutually exclusive categories about the labour market — employed, unemployed, and not in the labour market — and to provide descriptive and explanatory data on each of these groups.” Data from the survey reveals shifting trends in the labour market such as employment across industrial sectors, hours worked, labour force participation and unemployment rates. Governments, labour unions, businesses and social services agencies use the data and key findings to make informed decisions regarding job creation, education and training programs, retirement pensions, and income support initiatives, among other investment decisions.
Overview of the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada
Highlights from the latest Labour Force Survey
Highlights from the May Labour Force Survey show that the national unemployment rate was 7% in May 2025. That month, there was a net gain of 57,000 full-time jobs, and a net loss of 48,000 part-time jobs. Overall, there was a net change of 8,800 jobs. Youth (15-24) unemployment was in double digits, with a higher percentage of men not working compared to women. Statistics Canada has made available an interactive dashboard to explore shifting trends in the labour force which we have embedded below.
