Unemployment Rate: Canada
Canada's unemployment rate is currently 6.6% as of 2026. # Canada Unemployment Rate Canada's unemployment rate stands at 6.
Current (2026)
6.6%
-4.3% y/y
Peak (1983)
12.0%
Low (2022)
5.3%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — Canada
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Canada
Analysis# Canada Unemployment Rate
Canada's unemployment rate stands at 6.6% in 2026, positioned between its all-time low of 5.3% in 2022 and its peak of 12% in 1983. Since 1980, the rate has declined 12 percentage points overall, reflecting long-term labor market improvements despite cyclical fluctuations. The current level represents a modest increase from the record low achieved four years prior.
The most dramatic recent shift occurred in 2020, when the unemployment rate spiked to 9.7% due to pandemic-related disruptions. Recovery followed swiftly, with the rate falling to 5.3% by 2022—Canada's strongest labor market performance in the dataset. However, 2023 marked the beginning of an upward trend, rising from 5.4% to 6.9% by 2025 before settling slightly lower at 6.6% in 2026, suggesting stabilization at moderately elevated levels.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 6.0% | -1.64% |
| 2029 | 6.1% | -1.61% |
| 2028 | 6.2% | -1.59% |
| 2027 | 6.3% | -4.55% |
| 2026 | 6.6% | -4.35% |
| 2025 | 6.9% | +7.81% |
| 2024 | 6.4% | +18.52% |
| 2023 | 5.4% | +1.89% |
| 2022 | 5.3% | -29.33% |
| 2021 | 7.5% | -22.68% |
| 2020 | 9.7% | +70.18% |
| 2019 | 5.7% | -1.72% |
| 2018 | 5.8% | -9.38% |
| 2017 | 6.4% | -9.86% |
| 2016 | 7.1% | +1.43% |
| 2015 | 7.0% | -1.41% |
| 2014 | 7.1% | -1.39% |
| 2013 | 7.2% | -2.70% |
| 2012 | 7.4% | -2.63% |
| 2011 | 7.6% | -7.32% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 8.2% | -3.53% |
| 2009 | 8.5% | +34.92% |
| 2008 | 6.3% | +1.61% |
| 2007 | 6.2% | -4.62% |
| 2006 | 6.5% | -4.41% |
| 2005 | 6.8% | -5.56% |
| 2004 | 7.2% | -5.26% |
| 2003 | 7.6% | -1.30% |
| 2002 | 7.7% | +6.94% |
| 2001 | 7.2% | +5.88% |
| 2000 | 6.8% | -10.53% |
| 1999 | 7.6% | -8.43% |
| 1998 | 8.3% | -8.79% |
| 1997 | 9.1% | -5.21% |
| 1996 | 9.6% | +1.05% |
| 1995 | 9.5% | -8.65% |
| 1994 | 10.4% | -8.77% |
| 1993 | 11.4% | +1.79% |
| 1992 | 11.2% | +8.74% |
| 1991 | 10.3% | +25.61% |
| 1990 | 8.2% | +9.33% |
| 1989 | 7.5% | -3.85% |
| 1988 | 7.8% | -11.36% |
| 1987 | 8.8% | -8.33% |
| 1986 | 9.6% | -8.57% |
| 1985 | 10.5% | -7.89% |
| 1984 | 11.4% | -5.00% |
| 1983 | 12.0% | +8.11% |
| 1982 | 11.1% | +46.05% |
| 1981 | 7.6% | +1.33% |
| 1980 | 7.5% | — |
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