There were 569,000 Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in December 2025, little changed (+0.4%; +2,500) from the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, the number of Canadians receiving regular EI benefits was up by 81,000 (+16.7%), with most of that increase occurring during the period from January to July 2025, according to a report released Thursday by Statistics Canada.
Data from the Labour Force Survey indicate that the unemployment rate trended up through most of 2025, reaching a high of 7.1% in August and September, prior to pulling back to 6.8% in December, said the federal agency.
“In December, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits increased among core-aged (25 to 54 years old) men (+2,900; +1.3%). This was the third consecutive monthly increase for this group, bringing the total increase since September to 10,000 (+4.8%). A smaller increase in the number of recipients in December was recorded among young men aged 15 to 24 (+600; +1.5%), while the number of women aged 55 and older receiving benefits declined (-700; -1.1%),” said Statistics Canada.
“In the 12 months ending in December, the total number of recipients was up by 81,000 (+16.7%), with increases across all major demographic groups. The largest percentage increases were seen among core-aged women (+18.2%; +22,000), women aged 55 and older (+18.2%; +9,000), and core-aged men (+17.0%; +33,000).”
In December, the number of recipients of regular EI benefits increased the most among those who last worked in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (+4,100; +2.2%), the fifth consecutive monthly increase for this group. The number of recipients also increased among those who were last employed in natural and applied sciences and related occupations (+800; +1.7%) and occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport (+500; +3.6%), explained the report.
“At the same time, there were declines in the number of recipients who last worked in sales and service occupations (-1,400; -1.4%) and occupations in manufacturing and utilities (-800; -1.9%),” it said.
“In the 12 months ending in December, the number of beneficiaries receiving regular EI benefits was up across all major occupational groups. The largest year-over-year increases were among recipients who last worked in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (+23,000; +13.6%), followed by business, finance and administration occupations (+14,000; +22.5%) and sales and service occupations (+12,000; +15.3%).”
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Entrepreneur. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 and 2024 as one of the top business journalists in the world by PR News. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024, 2025 and 2026.
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