Halifax Partnership Releases Halifax Index 2022

Halifax is emerging from the pandemic strong and ready to face new challenges.

Today, Halifax Partnership will release the Halifax Index 2022, the city’s annual report on economic and community progress.

This year’s Halifax Index reports on Halifax’s emergence from the pandemic and the city’s vital signs across seven major themes: people, labour, investment, real estate, rural Halifax, affordability, and living in Halifax. It also introduces measures to track the progress of People. Planet. Prosperity. Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy for 2022-2027.

“By many metrics, Halifax is coming out of the pandemic in a strong position,” says Ian Munro, Chief Economist, Halifax Partnership. “Our economy rebounded well in 2021 with over 9,000 more jobs than pre-pandemic, and our population growth remained very positive with more young people, immigrants, and expats calling Halifax home.”

Halifax welcomed more than 9,200 people in 2021 and had the third highest growth rate across all major cities in Canada, driven by interprovincial migration. Business confidence in Halifax reached an all-time high thanks in part to rebounding retail sales and GDP growth of 6%, while over three-quarters of residents surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with life in Halifax. Despite general recovery, businesses most affected by COVID may still be struggling, and residents and businesses are facing new challenges.

“Rising prices, tightening labour markets, interest rate hikes, and a housing market marked by insufficient supply and increasing prices and rents, present further challenges for people and businesses to thrive in Halifax,” says Munro. “Like other cities, Halifax has growing pains to manage, but we also have great momentum and the collective will to build an evermore prosperous and inclusive community.”

Halifax Partnership and the Halifax Regional Municipality are leading Halifax’s economic recovery, development, and growth through the city’s new economic strategy which was launched in April.

“While we are focused on continued recovery from COVID, we are looking to the future with our private, public, post-secondary, and community partners to build a prosperous, growing Halifax that puts the well-being of people and planet first,” says Wendy Luther, President and CEO, Halifax Partnership. “We are committed to ensuring that as Halifax grows, its prosperity is shared by all residents, businesses, and communities.”

Explore the 2022 Halifax Index at www.halifaxindex.com

Media Contact:
Alison Gillan, APR
Vice President, Marketing, Public Relations & Communications
Halifax Partnership
902.719.6797
[email protected]

About the Halifax Partnership:
The Halifax Partnership is Halifax’s public-private economic development organization. The Partnership drives and accelerates economic growth by selling and marketing Halifax to the world, helping businesses reach their full potential and tracking Halifax’s economic progress. The Partnership’s network of influential and globally connected Investors and partners is committed to building a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous Halifax. www.halifaxpartnership.com