Labour
Halifax was in a good position heading into the COVID-19 crisis. Our city experienced uncharacteristically large increases in employment, the participation rate, and the overall size of the labour pool through 2019, especially among youth.
Halifax was the third-fastest growing Canadian city in 2019. We gained nearly 10,000 new residents and broke our own population growth record for the fourth year in a row.
Immigration continued to drive population growth in Halifax, with the bulk of newcomers being young families and early-career professionals.
Total enrolment at Halifax’s universities increased for the first time in 5 years. International students led this growth, supported by the first increase in Nova Scotian student enrolment in the last 9 years.
Given that 83% of Halifax’s population growth in 2019 came from outside of Nova Scotia, population growth in 2020 may be impacted significantly as countries around the world and provinces within Canada limit cross-border movement to contain the spread of COVID-19. With many businesses focused on recovery for the near term, new job opportunities that would have attracted newcomers may be sparse. Prospective newcomers, whether from Canada or beyond, also may have fewer resources as a result of dealing with the pandemic and, thus, be less able to travel. Migration patterns beyond 2020 will depend on the speed with which COVID-19 is brought under control both here and in areas that are potential sources of newcomers.
Universities are faced with much uncertainty as they rethink class offerings and the delivery of courses and retool campus designs to protect students and staff. International and out-of-province enrolment may be limited due to restrictions on border travel.
For the fourth straight year, Halifax experienced record-breaking population growth. Our city added 9,747 new residents in 2019 – the largest annual increase on record in both absolute and percentage terms. This 2.3% growth brings the total population of Halifax to 440,348 as of June 30, 2019. If this rate continued, we would be on track to reach our 550,000 population goal by 2031.
Year after year, Halifax successfully attracts more young, talented, and diverse newcomers to the city: two-thirds of our growth in 2019 came from international migration and close to half (46%) of all new residents were between ages 25-39.
Despite the addition of so many young people, Halifax’s dependency ratio continues to rise as the share of the population that is typically not working grows faster than the share that is typically working.1As the bulk of the baby boom population of Halifax reaches retirement age in the next 5-10 years, a much smaller share of the population will be required to shoulder the provincial tax burden.
Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Estimates, Table 17-10-0135-01
Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Estimates, Table 17-10-0135-01
Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographics Estimates, Tables 17-10-0135-01 and 17-10-0078-01
Immigration continues to be the main driver of population growth in Halifax. Two-thirds of the net new residents welcomed in 2019 came from outside of Canada (6,509 people), 16% from elsewhere in Canada, 9% from elsewhere in Nova Scotia, and 8% from net natural growth within Halifax (births minus deaths).
Since 2006-07, these growth figures represent record highs for the number of people arriving in Halifax from outside of the province. Additionally, the number of people moving to Halifax from within Nova Scotia is at a record low, meaning fewer Nova Scotians are migrating to the capital. Many regions throughout the province – including Kentville, Truro, and Cape Breton – are growing.
Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Estimates, Table 17-10-0136-01
Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Estimates, Table 17-10-0136-01
Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Estimates, Table 17-10-0136-01
Enrolment at Halifax’s universities increased by 384 students (1.3%) in 2018-19, reaching a total of 30,487 students across six institutions.2This is the first increase in the number of students enrolled since 2013-14.
For the 11th year in a row, international students led enrolment growth. An additional 340 international students enrolled in Halifax’s universities over last year, representing 5.2% growth.
Enrolment in mathematics, computer sciences, and information sciences at Halifax universities is growing faster than any other field in both absolute and relative terms. An additional 303 mathematics, computer sciences, and information sciences students were enrolled in 2018-19 over 2017-18, a 20% increase.
At the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), enrolment grew by 3% at its three metro campuses (Akerley, Ivany, and the Institute of Technology), reaching 4,603 students in fall 2019. NSCC added 112 international students to its metro campuses in 2019, contributing to 23% growth in international enrolment at its metro campuses.
Source: Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, Enrolment Data
Source: Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, Enrolment Data
Source: Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, Enrolment Data
Halifax was in a good position heading into the COVID-19 crisis. Our city experienced uncharacteristically large increases in employment, the participation rate, and the overall size of the labour pool through 2019, especially among youth.
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