Labour Force Data

Source; Statistics Canada

  • The agricultural labour force in Nova Scotia has remained relatively stable over the decade, with minor fluctuations.
  • The employment figures show peaks in 2012 and 2013, followed by a general decline until 2019, and then a rise in 2020, indicating variable demand for agricultural labour over the years.
  • Unemployment rates peaked in 2012 and 2013, followed by a significant decline until 2017, with another rise observed in 2021.
  • These trends reflect a dynamic agricultural job market in Nova Scotia, with changing employment and unemployment rates that may be influenced by a variety of economic, policy, and seasonal factors.

Source; Statistics Canada

  1. In 2012, the age group 15 to 24 constituted approximately 14.71% of the workforce, peaking at 23.21% in 2018 and then decreasing to around 14.55% by 2022.
  2. Age 25 to 54, considered the core working age group, was 44.12% of the workforce in 2012, saw a slight increase to 50% by 2013, and maintained a significant presence, accounting for 47.27% in 2021.
  3. Employment among those 55 years and over has varied, with an initial decline from 2012 to 2017, an increase in 2019, and a return to lower levels in 2022, finishing at 1,600 which is about 31% of the workforce.
  4. In 2022, the youngest group’s declining participation could indicate future labour shortages. Also, the persistence of the 55+ group may reflect extensive experience but also pose transition challenges for the province upon their retirement.

Source; Statistics Canada

  1. Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture in Nova Scotia Productivity increased from $10.4 to $118.5, showing a substantial rise of over 1000% over the decade.
  2. The sector shows a consistent year-over-year growth, highlighting advancements and increased efficiency in production methods.
  3. Crop Production (Except Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production): After a peak in productivity in 2017 at $35.2, there has been a slight downward trend to $27 in 2022.
  4. This sector shows some volatility, with notable shifts in productivity, possibly due to market demands, climate conditions, and crop yields.
  5. Animal Production (Except Aquaculture) Productivity began at $30 and saw a moderate increase to $33.2 by 2022.
  6. Compared to crop production, animal production shows less variation year over year, indicating a possibly more stable market or fewer external influences on productivity.

Source; Statistics Canada

  1. The largest employment sector consistently is animal production, with ratios ranging from 44% to 51% of the total agricultural jobs each year.
  2. Jobs in greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture fluctuated, dropping from 1,060 in 2012 to 555 in 2017, rising to 960 in 2021, and then falling to 860 in 2022. This instability may stem from market demands, climate impacts on yields, or agricultural policy changes.
  3. Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production jobs also represent a substantial sector, maintaining around 37% to 41% of total agricultural jobs each year.
  4. Crop production jobs hold a smaller, but steady portion of the total, ranging from 13% to 16%.
  5. The total number of agricultural jobs peaked at 7,020 in 2013 and saw the lowest at 5,570 in 2021, indicating a slight downward trend over the years.

Source; Statistics Canada

  1. There is a clear long-term decline in the percentage of agricultural employment relative to total employment for both Canada and Nova Scotia from 1991 to 2022.
  2. The proportion of agricultural employment has decreased over the decades, indicating a shift in the job market away from agriculture or growth in other sectors.
  3. Throughout the period, Nova Scotia consistently exhibits a lower percentage of agricultural employment compared to the national average of Canada.
  4. In recent years, the decline appears to have stabilized, suggesting that agricultural employment has reached a baseline level within the broader employment landscape.

Source; Statistics Canada

  1. Full-time agricultural employment experienced notable peaks and troughs, reaching its highest at 5.2 thousand in 2013 and declining to its lowest at 3.4 thousand in 2016. It saw a recovery to 5.1 thousand from 2019 to 2021 before slightly reducing to 4.3 thousand in 2022.
  2. Part-time agricultural employment has generally decreased over the decade, from 1.7 thousand in 2012 to just 8 hundred in 2022, indicating a potential shift towards full-time employment or reduced part-time job availability.
  3. The employment figures from 2019 to 2021 have been relatively stable in the agricultural sector, suggesting a period of balance in agricultural labour demand in Nova Scotia.
  4. These insights reflect the evolving nature of agricultural employment in Nova Scotia, highlighting shifts towards full-time roles and a decrease in part-time work availability.

Source; Statistics Canada

  1. The agricultural workforce is consistently male-dominated, with the male employment ratio ranging from 65% to 72% over the years.
  2. The female workforce ratio has slightly decreased, with the highest representation at 34.6% in 2015 and the lowest at 27.7% in 2018.
  3. The male-to-female ratio in the workforce has varied, reaching its highest point at approximately 2.6 males for every female in 2018 and its lowest at about 1.76 in 2017.

Source; Statistics Canada

  1. Nova Scotia’s productivity in the Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production sector is a remarkable 118.5 dollars per hour, which is a significant growth compared to Canada’s average productivity of 82 dollars per hour.
  2. The productivity ratio of Nova Scotia to Canada in this sector is about 1.44, indicating that Nova Scotia’s productivity is 44% higher than the Canadian average.
  3. In crop production, Nova Scotia’s productivity stands at 27 dollars per hour, which is lower than the Canadian average of 111.5 dollars per hour.
  4. Thus, Nova Scotia’s productivity is approximately 24% of the Canadian average, highlighting a gap that could be targeted for improvement.
  5. Nova Scotia’s productivity in animal production is at 33.2 dollars per hour, compared to Canada’s average of 24 dollars per hour. Nova Scotia’s productivity in this sector is 38% higher than that of Canada, showcasing Nova Scotia’s efficiency or specialization in animal production.

Source: NSFA Labour Market Information Workforce Insight Survey 2023;

  1. A large majority, 76%, expect job vacancies to remain the same in 2023 as they were in 2022. This suggests a perception of stability in the job market.
  2. 10% of the respondents anticipate an increase in job vacancies, indicating some optimism about growth or expansion within the sector.
  3. A smaller segment, 8%, foresees a decrease in job vacancies, possibly due to concerns about economic conditions, industry consolidation, or other factors that could lead to a reduced workforce.
  4. 6% are unsure about the changes in job vacancies, reflecting uncertainty that could be attributed to unpredictable market conditions, policy changes, or external factors like global trade tensions or climate change impacts.

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