Labour Force

Labour Force Data

With a high reliance on foreign labour and a widening labour gap, Nova Scotia’s agriculture sector faces considerable challenges over the next decade. Nova Scotia’s agricultural workforce has experienced some growth over the past few years. Nova Scotia’s agriculture sector employed 6,600 people, or roughly 3% of Canada’s agricultural labour force. Although it was the fourth smallest agriculture sector employer in Canada, it had the third highest reliance on agricultural TFWs in Canada.

  • The labour force size increased by 36% from 2016 to 2021
  • The unemployment rate increased by 4% from 2018 (6.7%) to 2021 (10.7%)
  • Despite labour force growth, farmers are still citing labour gaps as a major issue
  • 88% of all agricultural employment are full-time positions.
  • 400 part-time jobs were added from 2020 (700) to 2021 (1100)
  • Chart does not reflect seasonal positions
  • Workforce likely to grow into 2022-2023
  • Small chance that the workforce is going to decrease
  • Possible indication of NSFA Farm and Workforce Development success
  • Despite data showing expectations that workforce will likely remain the same or increase, the amount of job vacancies is also estimated to stay the same or increase
  • Demand for labour is continuing to grow in NS agriculture
  • 2 male agricultural workers for every 1 female worker
  • The ratio of male to female workers in agriculture has increased in recent years
  • Potential for more female recruitment initiatives
  • 23% of the agricultural workforce is between 15 and 24 years old
  • 36% of the agricultural workforce is 55 years or older
  • More younger farmers needed to replace aging population of farmers
  • Crop production has experienced solid labour productivity growth relative to other agri-food industries
  • Small productivity gains in animal production and food manufacturing from 2016 to 2020
  • Increasing labour productivity can help increase profits for employers and wages employees
  • Increases to labour productivity has led to lower unit labour costs in Crop production
  • NS unit labour costs for Crop production and Food manufacturing exceeds the national average for both industries
  • Animal production in NS more productive and relatively cheaper than the national average

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