National employment numbers for January from Statistics Canada, at a glance

By Canadian Press on February 6, 2026.

OTTAWA — A quick look at Canada’s January employment figures (numbers from the previous month in brackets):

Unemployment rate: 6.5 per cent (6.8)

Employment rate: 60.8 per cent (60.9)

Participation rate: 65.0 per cent (65.4)

Number unemployed: 1,457,500 (1,551,700)

Number working: 21,121,200 (21,146,000)

Youth (15-24 years) unemployment rate: 12.8 per cent (13.3)

Men (25 plus) unemployment rate: 5.4 per cent (5.9)

Women (25 plus) unemployment rate: 5.5 per cent (5.6)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2026.

The Canadian Press