Introduction

About the Ontario Employment Report

The Ontario Employment Report is released four times a year and provides an assessment of the current trends and developments in the Ontario labour market. The fourth quarter report is an annual report. The Ontario Employment Report is a companion report to the Ontario Economic Accounts, which provides an overall assessment of the current state of the Ontario economy.

Overview

Ontario’s labour market overview

Employment:

  • +17,100 net jobs in Q3 2025, year-over-year
  • +15,400 net full-time jobs in Q3 2025, year-over-year
  • +8,800 net jobs in September 2025
  • +44,700 net full-time jobs in September 2025

Unemployment rate:

  • 8.3% in Q3 2025
  • 7.9% in September 2025

Year-over-year, Ontario’s employment rose by 0.2% (+17,100) in the third quarter of 2025, compared to a stronger national increase of 1.1% (+228,500). Ontario’s unemployment rate stood at 8.3% during the same period, higher than Canada’s rate of 7.3%.

In September 2025, Ontario recorded a modest employment gain of 8,800 (+0.1%), driven by a significant increase in full-time positions (+44,700, +0.7%). However, this was offset by a decline in part-time employment (-36,100, -2.5%). Nationally, Canada saw employment growth in September (+60,400, +0.3%), primarily due to gains in full-time work.

Ontario’s unemployment rate edged up to 7.9% in September from 7.7% in August, while Canada’s rate remained stable at 7.1%.

While Ontario’s unemployment rate has been increasing since its low of 5.0% in April 2023, the current unemployment rate for September 2025 (7.9%) is only slightly higher than the historical average (7.4%). A similar upward trend is evident at the national level, with Canada’s unemployment rate rising from a low of 5.0% in March 2023 to 7.1% in September 2025. This upward trend may be, in part, due to rapid population growth in recent years and a decline in overall labour demand in the past few months.

Year-over-year overview

Ontario’s labour market, January 2015 – September 2025 (seasonally adjusted)

The combination line and area chart shows Ontario’s unemployment rate (line chart) and employment (area chart) from January 2015 to September 2025. Ontario’s unemployment rate trended downwards between January 2015 and January 2020, rose in early 2020 and declined afterwards. The rate has been trending up since mid-2023 reaching 7.9% in September 2025. Employment in Ontario had risen steadily before dropping in early 2020 and then gradually rose to about 8,199,800 workers in September 2025.

The combination line and area chart shows Ontario’s unemployment rate (line chart) and employment (area chart) from January 2015 to September 2025. Ontario’s unemployment rate trended downwards between January 2015 and January 2020, rose in early 2020 and declined afterwards. The rate has been trending up since mid-2023 reaching 7.9% in September 2025. Employment in Ontario had risen steadily before dropping in early 2020 and then gradually rose to about 8,199,800 workers in September 2025.

Between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025:

  • Employment gains were driven by growth in full-time employment (+0.2%).
  • Employment increased in the private sector (+0.5%) and declined in the public sector (-0.4%) and among the self-employed (-0.5%).
  • Employment increased in services-producing industries (+0.5%) and decreased in goods-producing industries (-0.8%).
  • Employment increased in four regions, with the highest growth rates in Northern Ontario (+3.5%), while employment declined in Eastern Ontario (-2.8%).
  • Employment increased for youth (+0.3%), core-aged workers (+0.1%), and older workers (+0.6%).
  • Hourly wage growth (+3.1%) exceeded inflation (+1.8%).

Type of Work

Employment change by work status, Ontario, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024

The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment by full-time and part-time status. Total employment increased by 17,100 (+0.2%), with full-time employment increasing by 15,400 (+0.2%), and part-time employment increasing by 1,800 (+0.1%).

The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment by full-time and part-time status. Total employment increased by 17,100 (+0.2%), with full-time employment increasing by 15,400 (+0.2%), and part-time employment increasing by 1,800 (+0.1%).

In the third quarter of 2025, full-time employment increased by 0.2% year-over-year, while part-time employment edged up by 0.1%.

Employment change by employment sector, Ontario, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024

The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment in the private sector, public sector and among the self-employed. Employment increased by 28,700 (+0.5%) in the private sector, while it declined by 6,200 (-0.4%) in the public sector and by 5,400 (-0.5%) among the self-employed.

The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment in the private sector, public sector and among the self-employed. Employment increased by 28,700 (+0.5%) in the private sector, while it declined by 6,200 (-0.4%) in the public sector and by 5,400 (-0.5%) among the self-employed.

Year-over-year, employment increased by 0.5% in the private sector, while it declined by 0.4% in the public sector footnote 1 and by 0.5% among the self-employed.

Industry and occupation

Employment change by industry, goods-producing industries, Ontario, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024

The horizontal bar chart shows year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment for goods-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage change in brackets. Employment increased in three out of five goods-producing industries: construction (+8,100, +1.4%), utilities (+3,500, +5.5%), and forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+200, +0.4%). Employment declined in manufacturing (-12,600, -1.5%) and agriculture (-12,500, -16.3%). The overall employment in goods-producing industries decreased (-13,200, -0.8%).

The horizontal bar chart shows year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment for goods-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage change in brackets. Employment increased in three out of five goods-producing industries: construction (+8,100, +1.4%), utilities (+3,500, +5.5%), and forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+200, +0.4%). Employment declined in manufacturing (-12,600, -1.5%) and agriculture (-12,500, -16.3%). The overall employment in goods-producing industries decreased (-13,200, -0.8%).

Employment in goods-producing industries decreased (-0.8%) in the third quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Employment declines in manufacturing (-1.5%) and agriculture (-16.3%) were partially offset by increases in construction (+1.4%), utilities (+5.5%), and forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (+0.4%).

Employment change by industry, services-producing industries, Ontario, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024

The horizontal bar chart shows year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment for services-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage change in brackets. Employment increased in six of the eleven services-producing industries. Wholesale and retail trade (+42,600, +3.8%) experienced the largest employment gain, followed by accommodation and food services (+16,900, +3.9%), information, culture and recreation (+10,300, +2.9%), finance, insurance, real estate, rental & leasing (+6,400, +0.9%), health care and social assistance (+1,100, +0.1%), and professional, scientific and technical services (+300, +0.0%). Employment declined in other services (except public administration) (-500, -0.2%), educational services (-3,500, -0.7%), transportation and warehousing (-5,800, -1.4%), public administration (-10,400, -2.2%), and business, building and other support services (-27,200, -9.0%). The overall employment in services-producing industries increased by 30,400 (+0.5%).

The horizontal bar chart shows year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment for services-producing industries, measured in thousands with percentage change in brackets. Employment increased in six of the eleven services-producing industries. Wholesale and retail trade (+42,600, +3.8%) experienced the largest employment gain, followed by accommodation and food services (+16,900, +3.9%), information, culture and recreation (+10,300, +2.9%), finance, insurance, real estate, rental & leasing (+6,400, +0.9%), health care and social assistance (+1,100, +0.1%), and professional, scientific and technical services (+300, +0.0%). Employment declined in other services (except public administration) (-500, -0.2%), educational services (-3,500, -0.7%), transportation and warehousing (-5,800, -1.4%), public administration (-10,400, -2.2%), and business, building and other support services (-27,200, -9.0%). The overall employment in services-producing industries increased by 30,400 (+0.5%).

In the third quarter of 2025, employment in the services-producing industries (+0.5%) increased compared to the same period in 2024. More than half of all services-producing industries experienced employment growth. Wholesale and retail trade (+3.8%) experienced the largest employment gain, followed by accommodation and food services (+3.9%), and information, culture and recreation (+2.9%). Five industries experienced employment declines, including business, building and other support services (-9.0%), public administration (-2.2%), transportation and warehousing (-1.4%), educational services (-0.7%), and other services (except public administration) (-0.2%).

Employment change by occupational group, Ontario, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024 footnote 2

The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment by broad occupational group, measured in thousands with percentage change in brackets. Business, finance and administration occupations (+68,600, +5.2%) experienced the largest employment increase, followed by natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+45,700, +5.6%), sales and service occupations (+24,000, +1.4%), health occupations (+15,500, +2.6%), and occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (+10,500, +3.9%). Employment declined in natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (-17,500, -14.2%), trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (-22,500, -1.9%), occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (-25,600, -2.8%), occupations in manufacturing and utilities (-34,700, -8.3%), and management occupations (-46,600, -5.3%).

The horizontal bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment by broad occupational group, measured in thousands with percentage change in brackets. Business, finance and administration occupations (+68,600, +5.2%) experienced the largest employment increase, followed by natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+45,700, +5.6%), sales and service occupations (+24,000, +1.4%), health occupations (+15,500, +2.6%), and occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (+10,500, +3.9%). Employment declined in natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations (-17,500, -14.2%), trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (-22,500, -1.9%), occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (-25,600, -2.8%), occupations in manufacturing and utilities (-34,700, -8.3%), and management occupations (-46,600, -5.3%).

Year-over-year, business, finance and administration occupations experienced the largest employment gain (+5.2%), followed by natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+5.6%) and sales and service occupations (+1.4%). Half of all occupational groups experienced a decline in employment, led by management occupations (-5.3%).

Geographic region

Employment change by Ontario region, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024 footnote 3

The map shows Ontario’s five regions: Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which are based on Ministry of Finance’s groupings of Statistics Canada’s economic regions. The numbers in brackets show employment changes in thousands and percentages between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025. Employment increased in four of the five Ontario regions led by Central Ontario (+18,000, +0.9%), followed by Northern Ontario (+13,800, +3.5%), the Greater Toronto Area (+11,100, +0.3%), and Southwestern Ontario (+4,500, +0.5%). Employment declined in Eastern Ontario (-30,300, -2.8%).

The map shows Ontario’s five regions: Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, Central Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which are based on Ministry of Finance’s groupings of Statistics Canada’s economic regions. The numbers in brackets show employment changes in thousands and percentages between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025. Employment increased in four of the five Ontario regions led by Central Ontario (+18,000, +0.9%), followed by Northern Ontario (+13,800, +3.5%), the Greater Toronto Area (+11,100, +0.3%), and Southwestern Ontario (+4,500, +0.5%). Employment declined in Eastern Ontario (-30,300, -2.8%).

Year-over-year, employment increased in all Ontario regions in the third quarter of 2025, except for Eastern Ontario (-30,300, -2.8%). Central Ontario experienced the largest employment gain (+18,000, +0.9%), followed by Northern Ontario (+13,800, +3.5%), the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) footnote 4 (+11,100, +0.3%), and Southwestern Ontario (+4,500, +0.5%). Northern Ontario (+3.5%) experienced the highest rate of employment growth.

Unemployment rates by Ontario region, Q3 2025 footnote 5

The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by Ontario region in the third quarter of 2025 with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. The Greater Toronto Area had the highest unemployment rate at 9.5% (+0.9 percentage point compared to the third quarter of 2024), followed by Southwestern Ontario at 7.6% (+0.4 percentage point), Central Ontario at 7.3% (+1.0 percentage point), Eastern Ontario at 7.1% (+0.7 percentage point), and Northern Ontario at 5.9% (+0.1 percentage point). The overall unemployment rate for Ontario was 8.3% (+0.8 percentage point).

The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by Ontario region in the third quarter of 2025 with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. The Greater Toronto Area had the highest unemployment rate at 9.5% (+0.9 percentage point compared to the third quarter of 2024), followed by Southwestern Ontario at 7.6% (+0.4 percentage point), Central Ontario at 7.3% (+1.0 percentage point), Eastern Ontario at 7.1% (+0.7 percentage point), and Northern Ontario at 5.9% (+0.1 percentage point). The overall unemployment rate for Ontario was 8.3% (+0.8 percentage point).

In the third quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate increased in all regions. The GTA had the highest unemployment rate (9.5%), followed by Southwestern Ontario (7.6%), Central Ontario (7.3%), Eastern Ontario (7.1%), and Northern Ontario (5.9%).

Age and gender

Employment change by age group and gender, Ontario, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024

The horizontal bar chart shows year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment for the three major age groups, as well as by gender, compared to the overall population. This is measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Employment increased among core-aged workers aged 25 to 54 years (+3,300, +0.1%), youth aged 15 to 24 years (+3,200, +0.3%), and workers aged 55 years and over (+10,700, +0.6%). Employment increased by 7,300 (+0.2%) among women+ and by 9,800 (+0.2%) among men+. Total employment increased by 17,100 (+0.2%).

The horizontal bar chart shows year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) change in Ontario’s employment for the three major age groups, as well as by gender, compared to the overall population. This is measured in thousands with percentage changes in brackets. Employment increased among core-aged workers aged 25 to 54 years (+3,300, +0.1%), youth aged 15 to 24 years (+3,200, +0.3%), and workers aged 55 years and over (+10,700, +0.6%). Employment increased by 7,300 (+0.2%) among women+ and by 9,800 (+0.2%) among men+. Total employment increased by 17,100 (+0.2%).

In the third quarter of 2025, compared to the same quarter last year, employment edged up for core-aged workers aged 25 to 54 years (+0.1%), and increased slightly for youth aged 15 to 24 years (+0.3%) and older workers aged 55 years and over (+0.6%).

Year-over-year, employment increased for men (+0.2%) and women (+0.2%). footnote 6

Unemployment rates by age group and gender, Ontario, Q3 2025

The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates in the third quarter of 2025 for Ontario as a whole, by major age group and by gender, with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. Ontario’s overall unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2025 was 8.3% (+0.8 percentage point compared to the third quarter of 2024). Youth aged 15 to 24 years had the highest unemployment rate at 17.1% (+0.5 percentage point), followed by the core-aged population aged 25 to 54 years at 7.1% (+1.0 percentage point) and older workers aged 55 years and over at 5.7% (+0.5 percentage point). The unemployment rate was 8.4% (+0.9 percentage point) among women+ and 8.2% (+0.7 percentage point) among men+.

The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates in the third quarter of 2025 for Ontario as a whole, by major age group and by gender, with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. Ontario’s overall unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2025 was 8.3% (+0.8 percentage point compared to the third quarter of 2024). Youth aged 15 to 24 years had the highest unemployment rate at 17.1% (+0.5 percentage point), followed by the core-aged population aged 25 to 54 years at 7.1% (+1.0 percentage point) and older workers aged 55 years and over at 5.7% (+0.5 percentage point). The unemployment rate was 8.4% (+0.9 percentage point) among women+ and 8.2% (+0.7 percentage point) among men+.

Youth in Ontario experienced the highest unemployment rate (17.1%) in the third quarter, followed by core-aged individuals (7.1%) and older individuals (5.7%). Compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate increased across each age category.

In the third quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate for men (8.2%) was lower than that of women (8.4%). Compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate increased by 0.9 percentage point for women and 0.7 percentage point for men.

Education level and immigrant status

Employment rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population), Ontario, Q3 2025 footnote 7

The horizontal bar chart shows employment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years) in the third quarter of 2025, with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. By education level, those with a university degree had the highest employment rate (86.1%, -0.6 percentage point), followed by those with a postsecondary certificate/diploma (82.7%, -2.5 percentage points), those with a high school diploma (72.9%, -1.3 percentage points), and those with less than high school education (56.7%, -0.2 percentage point). By immigrant status, those born in Canada had the highest employment rate (82.8%, -2.7 percentage points), followed by recent immigrants with 5 to 10 years since landing (81.2%, +2.4 percentage points), established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (79.8%, -2.2 percentage point), and very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing (77.4%, +1.5 percentage points).

The horizontal bar chart shows employment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years) in the third quarter of 2025, with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. By education level, those with a university degree had the highest employment rate (86.1%, -0.6 percentage point), followed by those with a postsecondary certificate/diploma (82.7%, -2.5 percentage points), those with a high school diploma (72.9%, -1.3 percentage points), and those with less than high school education (56.7%, -0.2 percentage point). By immigrant status, those born in Canada had the highest employment rate (82.8%, -2.7 percentage points), followed by recent immigrants with 5 to 10 years since landing (81.2%, +2.4 percentage points), established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (79.8%, -2.2 percentage point), and very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing (77.4%, +1.5 percentage points).

In the third quarter of 2025, core-aged individuals with a university degree continued to record the highest employment rate (86.1%), followed by those with a postsecondary certificate or diploma (82.7%), those with high school education (72.9%) and those with less than high school education (56.7%). Year-over-year, the employment rate for core-aged people decreased across each education level.

Those born in Canada had the highest employment rate (82.8%), followed by recent immigrants (81.2%), established immigrants (79.8%) and very recent immigrants (77.4%).  

Year-over-year, the employment rate decreased for the core-aged population born in Canada (-2.7 percentage point) and established immigrants (-2.2 percentage point), while it increased for recent immigrants (+2.4 percentage point) and very recent immigrants (+1.5 percentage point).

Unemployment rates by education level and immigrant status (core-aged population), Ontario, Q3 2025 footnote 8

The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years) in the third quarter of 2025, with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. By education level, those with less than high school education had the highest unemployment rate (13.1%, +1.1 percentage points from the third quarter of 2024), followed by those with high school education (8.5%, +0.2 percentage point), those with a postsecondary certificate or diploma (6.5%, +1.2 percentage points), and university degree holders (6.5%, +1.1 percentage points). By immigrant status, very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing had the highest unemployment rate (10.3%, -0.1 percentage point), followed by recent immigrants with 5 to 10 years since landing (7.4%, -1.1 percentage points), established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (7.3%, +0.9 percentage point), and those born in Canada (6.2%, +1.4 percentage points).

The horizontal bar chart shows unemployment rates by education level and immigrant status for the core-aged population (25 to 54 years) in the third quarter of 2025, with percentage point changes from the third quarter of 2024 in brackets. By education level, those with less than high school education had the highest unemployment rate (13.1%, +1.1 percentage points from the third quarter of 2024), followed by those with high school education (8.5%, +0.2 percentage point), those with a postsecondary certificate or diploma (6.5%, +1.2 percentage points), and university degree holders (6.5%, +1.1 percentage points). By immigrant status, very recent immigrants with 5 years or less since landing had the highest unemployment rate (10.3%, -0.1 percentage point), followed by recent immigrants with 5 to 10 years since landing (7.4%, -1.1 percentage points), established immigrants with more than 10 years since landing (7.3%, +0.9 percentage point), and those born in Canada (6.2%, +1.4 percentage points).

In the third quarter of 2025, the core-aged population with a university degree and those with a postsecondary certificate/diploma had the lowest unemployment rates (6.5%). Those with a high school diploma (8.5%) and those with less than high school education (13.1%) footnote 9 had higher unemployment rates. Year-over-year, the unemployment rate of core-aged people increased across all education levels.

The core-aged population born in Canada had the lowest unemployment rate (6.2%) in the third quarter, while very recent immigrants had the highest unemployment rate (10.3%). Year-over-year, the unemployment rate increased for those born in Canada (+1.4 percentage point) and established immigrants (+0.9 percentage point), while it declined for recent immigrants (-1.1 percentage points) and very recent immigrants (-0.1 percentage point).

Wages

Average hourly wage growth by type of work, Ontario, Q3 2025 over Q3 2024 footnote 10

The vertical bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) per cent change in Ontario’s nominal hourly wages by type of work. The average hourly wage across all work types increased by 3.1%. Average hourly wages increased across all work types, including full-time employees (+3.3%) and part-time employees (+0.4%), permanent employees (+3.5%) and temporary employees (+2.6%), and employees with union coverage (+2.2%) and those without union coverage (+3.4%). Inflation during the same period was 1.8%.

The vertical bar chart shows a year-over-year (between the third quarters of 2024 and 2025) per cent change in Ontario’s nominal hourly wages by type of work. The average hourly wage across all work types increased by 3.1%. Average hourly wages increased across all work types, including full-time employees (+3.3%) and part-time employees (+0.4%), permanent employees (+3.5%) and temporary employees (+2.6%), and employees with union coverage (+2.2%) and those without union coverage (+3.4%). Inflation during the same period was 1.8%.

In the third quarter of 2025, the average hourly wage of Ontario employees was $37.73, an increase of 3.1% from the third quarter of 2024. footnote 11 Nominal wage growth exceeded Consumer Price Index inflation (1.8%) for the tenth consecutive quarter.

Full-time employees (+3.3%), part-time employees (+0.4%), permanent employees (+3.5%), temporary employees (+2.6%), employees with union coverage (+2.2%) and those without union coverage (+3.4%) all experienced increases in average hourly wages.

Methodological note

In the current issue, year-over-year change represents change between the averages in the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025. Note that the Ontario Economic Accounts report primarily shows changes between two consecutive quarters.

This report uses seasonally adjusted data in charts displaying data with a monthly frequency in the Overview section.

Unadjusted data are used in charts and tables showing the changes for the current quarter compared with the same quarter for the previous year. Unadjusted data are also used to calculate annual averages, year-to-date averages and 2025 third quarter averages. footnote 12

All estimates in this report are based on Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (LFS), which measures the current state of the national, provincial, and territorial labour market. The LFS is based on a household survey carried out monthly by Statistics Canada in reference weeks of each month. The reference periods for the three months of the third quarter of 2025 are July 13 to July 19, August 10 to August 16, and September 14 to September 20.

Appendix I

Overview of quarterly employment year-over-year, Ontario

 2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
Total Labour Force (000)8,524.08,777.98,552.88,825.78,806.58,968.58,881.58,980.6
Participation Rate (%)65.164.664.664.765.965.565.865.4
Men+ Participation Rate (%)69.569.268.969.170.370.170.570.1
Women+ Participation Rate (%)60.860.260.560.461.560.961.260.9
Total Employment (000)8,049.08,176.67,988.68,155.58,202.28,270.08,217.28,234.3
- Full-time (000)6,629.16,704.36,535.76,623.66,756.56,757.66,847.66,863.0
- Part-time (000)1,419.91,472.41,452.81,531.91,445.71,512.41,369.61,371.4
Employment-Population Ratio (%)61.460.260.459.861.460.460.960.0
Men+ Employment (000)4,243.14,322.34,187.54,290.94,319.14,374.84,364.14,373.9
Women+ Employment (000)3,805.93,854.33,801.13,864.63,883.13,895.23,853.13,860.4
Part Time (% of total)17.618.018.218.817.618.316.716.7
Goods-Producing Sector Employment (000)1,610.91,562.61,557.31,555.61,600.31,574.81,613.91,600.7
Services-Producing Sector Employment (000)6,438.16,614.06,431.36,599.96,601.86,695.26,603.36,633.6
Private Sector Employment (000)5,346.15,400.65,292.25,400.35,473.25,513.25,520.75,549.4
Public Sector Employment1,608.91,650.31,622.41,643.91,633.61,643.81,582.31,576.1
Self-Employment (% of total)13.613.813.413.613.413.513.613.5
Total Unemployment (000)474.9601.3564.2670.1604.3698.5664.3746.2
Unemployment Rate (%)5.66.96.67.66.97.87.58.3
Men+ Unemployment Rate (%)5.77.37.28.27.38.17.58.2
Women+ Unemployment Rate (%)5.46.45.96.96.47.47.48.4
Long-Term (27 wks+) (% of total)19.427.820.426.921.225.020.326.3
Average Unemployment in Weeks18.525.019.924.219.124.119.825.4
Youth Unemployment Rate (%)12.515.014.216.016.616.616.617.1
25-54 y.o Unemployment Rate (%)4.65.95.76.65.56.76.17.1
55+ y.o Unemployment Rate (%)4.24.54.75.14.55.25.25.7
Average Weekly Wage Rate ($)1,306.361,368.651,317.601,361.931,314.511,366.751,354.921,394.28
Average Hourly Wage Rate ($)35.4837.4335.9637.3235.7637.3136.6037.73

Employment by Region (000)

Region2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
Central1,887.41,901.81,871.91,884.81,920.71,950.91,909.51,927.5
Southwestern912.3945.8923.2931.3949.3927.9943.1947.6
Eastern1,067.21,085.71,045.31,070.31,067.41,075.81,091.41,061.1
Northern378.1379.3369.3380.8383.9391.5388.8402.6
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)3,804.13,863.93,778.93,888.43,880.93,923.83,884.43,895.5

Unemployment Rate by Region (%)

Region2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
Central5.36.36.37.36.06.76.37.3
Southwestern5.66.26.16.96.07.37.27.6
Eastern4.15.45.25.65.86.46.47.1
Northern5.35.46.15.05.05.45.85.9
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)6.17.87.38.77.99.08.69.5

Total Employment by CMA (000)

Greater Toronto Area

 2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
Toronto3,620.13,682.03,601.23,720.63,697.13,766.53,697.43,715.8
Oshawa238.8239.7244.0247.3245.9240.0239.6253.3

Central Ontario

 2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
Hamilton431.0430.8430.8419.4437.0450.8434.8454.6
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo365.5389.6370.5385.7387.1396.8378.7386.1
St. Catharines-Niagara239.1242.5220.4237.4229.8243.4241.3238.8
Peterborough73.170.764.668.365.668.666.373.5
Brantford85.285.586.083.486.688.382.689.8
Guelph105.697.9107.6100.1107.498.299.194.9
Barrie128.6130.8126.2125.2134.7134.9137.5130.9

Eastern Ontario

 2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
Ottawa-Gatineau (Ontario part)687.6702.3680.2705.5686.8699.7703.5682.4
Kingston90.896.089.096.695.795.192.394.3
Belleville - Quinte West50.035.142.231.750.455.251.754.9

Southwestern Ontario

 2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
London321.0322.3316.7324.2326.2326.1320.7333.7
Windsor228.7237.8229.6241.4241.9234.1239.7231.1

Northern Ontario

 2023Q42024Q42024Q12025Q12024Q22025Q22024Q32025Q3
Greater Sudbury93.091.989.992.687.996.791.095.4
Thunder Bay64.065.362.263.366.265.466.568.5

Overview of monthly* labour force characteristics, Ontario

 Jul-24Aug-24Sept-24Oct-24Nov-24Dec-24Jan-25Feb-25Mar-25Apr-25May-25Jun-25Jul-25Aug-25Sept-25
Employment8,171.98,163.08,197.68,178.78,169.78,201.48,240.48,257.38,229.88,195.28,198.68,219.88,217.08,191.08,199.8
Unemployment rate6.97.37.17.17.77.57.67.37.57.87.97.87.97.77.9
Participation rate65.265.265.264.965.265.265.465.365.165.065.065.065.064.764.8

* Seasonally adjusted.

Footnotes

  • footnote[1] Back to paragraph The public sector includes employees in federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Aboriginal public administrations, as well as in Crown corporations, liquor control boards and other government institutions such as schools (including universities), hospitals and public libraries.
  • footnote[2] Back to paragraph Occupation estimates are based on the 2021 National Occupational Classification. Management occupations are classified under the management occupational category and the remaining categories exclude management occupations.
  • footnote[3] Back to paragraph Based on a three-month moving average for September 2025, using unadjusted data.
  • footnote[4] Back to paragraph The GTA refers to the Statistics Canada definition of the Toronto Economic Region; notably, this definition excludes the city of Burlington.
  • footnote[5] Back to paragraph Based on a three-month moving average for September 2025, using unadjusted data. The seasonally adjusted estimate for Ontario in Q3 2025 is 7.8%.
  • footnote[6] Back to paragraph Changes have been introduced to the Labour Force Survey starting in January 2022 to use gender (men+, women+) instead of sex of person (male, female). The category “Men+” includes men and boys, as well as some non-binary persons, while the category “Women+” includes women and girls, as well as some non-binary persons. Given that the non-binary population is small, data aggregation to a two-category gender variable is necessary to protect the confidentiality of responses provided.
  • footnote[7] Back to paragraph Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for September 2025. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
  • footnote[8] Back to paragraph Rate by immigrant status is based on a three-month moving average for September 2025. Education level refers to the highest level of schooling completed.
  • footnote[9] Back to paragraph The less than high school population includes those with 0 to 8 years of education and those with some high school education.
  • footnote[10] Back to paragraph Nominal wage growth, not adjusted for inflation. Self-employment is excluded. Inflation is measured as an increase in the all-items Consumer Price Index for Ontario between July and September 2024 and July and September 2025.
  • footnote[11] Back to paragraph Year-over-year comparison (between third quarters of 2024 and 2025) is in nominal dollars.
  • footnote[12] Back to paragraph Estimates of employment changes and rate calculations are based on unrounded quarterly estimates and may differ slightly from estimates based on published quarterly data due to rounding.