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Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

All data is current as of June 9, 2024.

Notes
  • First-time recipients are individuals receiving an EI payment for the first time since April 1, 2024.
  • Active recipients are individuals currently receiving EI payments
  • Total gross benefit dollars are cumulative since April 1, 2024

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List of tables

Application processing statistics

Table 1: EI application processing statistics
Employment Insurance (EI) program Week starting on June 3, 2024 Cumulative from April 1, 2024
Registered applications 46,220 443,710
Processed applications 45,270 441,190
Claims established (approved applications) 34,580 345,250
Recipients Not applicable 1,108,640
Notes for table 1
  • A registered application removes unnecessary duplicate requests for EI benefits that some individuals submit. It represents actual requests for EI benefits and initiates the process of determining EI eligibility and entitlement
  • A processed application represents the adjudication of a registered application that results in an initial decision. Every registered application will be adjudicated; however, high volumes can cause a processing backlog where an application registered in one week may not be processed until a subsequent week
  • A claim established is a processed application with a decision to pay the claim as it met the criteria of the EI program. As not all processed applications meet the EI program criteria, the number of claims established will be less than the number of processed applications
  • A recipient is someone who receives at least one payment. To receive EI payments, a recipient must file their bi-weekly report. Each bi-weekly filing enables up to two weeks of EI payments in arrears depending on the content of the filing. An individual who never files their bi-weekly report will not receive a payment and therefore will not become a recipient. As payments are two weeks in arrears, the last completed EI week will never show any recipients
  • This data is operational in nature and will fluctuate over time. For any given week, the number of registered applications and processed applications will not be equal due to timing and volume
  • Cumulative totals are as of April 1, 2024
  • All numbers are rounded to the nearest 10

EI benefits statistics by type

Table 2: EI benefits – Number of recipients by benefit type
EI benefits Active recipients Cumulative recipients since April 1, 2024
Regular 531,570 719,270
Sickness 117,620 140,240
Fishing 7,700 17,040
Maternity and parental 191,750 223,250
Caregiving 6,740 8,030
Self employed 870 1,040
Total 856,250 1,108,640
Notes for table 2
  • A recipient is someone who receives at least one payment
  • Recipients can receive more than one type of benefit. For example, a recipient who is receiving EI maternity benefits can change to receive EI caregiving benefits. Regardless of which benefit type a recipient receives, they are only eligible to receive one benefit type per week
  • Active recipients represent individuals currently receiving EI payments
  • Cumulative recipients from April 1 represent individuals who started receiving EI payments since the beginning of the fiscal year
  • All values are rounded to the nearest 10 and are recalculated every week. Rounding may cause a small difference between the total and the sum of individual values
Table 3: EI benefits – Gross benefit paid to recipients by benefit type (millions)
EI benefits Gross benefit paid to active recipients Gross benefit paid to recipients since April 1, 2024
Regular 4,218.36 2,115.83
Sickness 791.24 423.87
Fishing 75.19 49.44
Maternity and parental 2,737.85 925.39
Caregiving 43.22 24.92
Self employed 7.63 2.90
Total 7,873.48 3,542.36
Notes for table 3
  • Gross benefit paid (millions) represents the amount paid, before tax. EI deducts tax at source for all EI benefits. Rounding may cause a small difference between the total and the sum of individual values
  • Active recipients represent individuals currently receiving EI payments and gross benefit paid to active recipients represent the total amount paid to them
  • Cumulative benefit paid to recipients since April 1 represent the amount of EI paid to recipients this fiscal year
  • A recipient is someone who receives at least one payment

EI recipients statistics

Active recipients by province or territory and age group

Table 4: EI active recipients by province or territory and age group – Number of active recipients
Provinces and territories Under 25 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 and older Unknown Age Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 3,380 7,650 7,820 9,810 13,990 5,090 0 47,740
Prince Edward Island 1,040 2,350 1,830 1,800 2,380 1,370 0 10,760
Nova Scotia 2,970 9,960 7,250 6,180 7,940 3,000 0 37,310
New Brunswick 3,540 9,820 8,250 8,710 11,680 4,330 0  46,340
Quebec 11,910 39,430 39,860 36,040 43,160 13,540 0  183,950
Ontario 20,310 111,970 68,580 36,540 37,030 9,970 0  284,420
Manitoba 3,120 10,600 6,600 3,780 3,450 1,020 0  28,580
Saskatchewan 2,470 8,920 5,410 2,900 2,780 1,070 0  23,540
Alberta 8,160 35,710 23,970 12,320 10,860 3,020 0 94,040
British Columbia 6,870 35,650 24,840 12,260 12,630 3,930 0  96,180
Yukon 60 330 290 110 110 50 0  950
Northwest Territories 80 390 250 150 130 40 0  1,050
Nunavut 80 220 150 100 50 20 0  620
Not applicable 50 420 250 60 20 20 20 850
Total 64,050 273,430 195,350 130,770 146,220 46,470 20 856,250

Notes for tables 4 to 11

Table 5: EI active recipients by province or territory and age group – Percentage of active recipients
Provinces and territories Under 25 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 and older Unknown Age Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 7.1% 16.0% 16.4% 20.6% 29.3% 10.7% 0.0% 5.6%
Prince Edward Island 9.7% 21.8% 17.0% 16.7% 22.1% 12.7% 0.0% 1.3%
Nova Scotia 8.0% 26.7% 19.4% 16.6% 21.3% 8.0% 0.0% 4.4%
New Brunswick 7.6% 21.2% 17.8% 18.8% 25.2% 9.3% 0.0% 5.4%
Quebec 6.5% 21.4% 21.7% 19.6% 23.5% 7.4% 0.0% 21.5%
Ontario 7.1% 39.4% 24.1% 12.8% 13.0% 3.5% 0.0% 33.2%
Manitoba 10.9% 37.1% 23.1% 13.2% 12.1% 3.6% 0.0% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 10.5% 37.9% 23.0% 12.3% 11.8% 4.5% 0.0% 2.7%
Alberta 8.7% 38.0% 25.5% 13.1% 11.5% 3.2% 0.0% 11.0%
British Columbia 7.1% 37.1% 25.8% 12.7% 13.1% 4.1% 0.0% 11.2%
Yukon 6.0% 34.9% 30.3% 12.0% 11.9% 4.9% 0.0% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 8.0% 36.9% 23.9% 14.1% 12.8% 4.2% 0.0% 0.1%
Nunavut 12.3% 36.0% 23.5% 16.3% 8.7% 3.2% 0.0% 0.1%
Not applicable 6.3% 49.5% 29.8% 7.3% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 0.1%
Total 7.5% 31.9% 22.8% 15.3% 17.1% 5.4% 0.0% 100.0%

Notes for tables 4 to 11

Table 6: EI gross benefit paid to active recipients by province or territory and age group – Gross benefit paid (millions)
Provinces and territories Under 25 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 and older Unknown Age Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 28.79 78.61 74.05 89.75 131.20 49.69 0 452.09
Prince Edward Island 10.43 26.02 19.95 18.90 24.19 14.19 0  113.68
Nova Scotia 24.09 107.24 69.61 52.53 66.38 26.44 0  346.29
New Brunswick 30.18 100.67 76.14 77.43 105.53 42.45 0  432.41
Quebec 71.27 262.58 267.24 240.99 296.96 99.02 0  1,238.05
Ontario 159.13 1,303.99 737.84 279.84 276.93 70.99 0  2,828.71
Manitoba 24.89 117.99 66.16 30.78 27.91 8.29 0  276.01
Saskatchewan 21.21 105.49 57.85 26.22 24.67 9.77 0  245.21
Alberta 65.73 413.19 252.20 105.54 93.54 25.81 0  956.01
British Columbia 52.86 402.53 266.33 97.54 99.87 30.32 0  949.45
Yukon 0.46 3.99 3.31 1.09 1.12 0.46 0  10.42
Northwest Territories 0.83 4.93 3.06 1.58 1.42 0.49 0  12.31
Nunavut 0.90 2.75 2.03 1.21 0.66 0.08 0  7.63
Not applicable 0.32 2.84 1.69 0.28 0.05 0.01 0.01 5.20
Total 491.08 2,932.83 1,897.47 1,023.67 1,150.43 378.00 0.01 7,873.48

Notes for tables 4 to 11

Table 7: EI gross benefit paid to active recipients by province or territory and age group – Percentage of gross benefit
Provinces and territories Under 25 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 and older Unknown Age Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 6.4% 17.4% 16.4% 19.9% 29.0% 11.0% 0.0% 5.7%
Prince Edward Island 9.2% 22.9% 17.6% 16.6% 21.3% 12.5% 0.0% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 7.0% 31.0% 20.1% 15.2% 19.2% 7.6% 0.0% 4.4%
New Brunswick 7.0% 23.3% 17.6% 17.9% 24.4% 9.8% 0.0% 5.5%
Quebec 5.8% 21.2% 21.6% 19.5% 24.0% 8.0% 0.0% 15.7%
Ontario 5.6% 46.1% 26.1% 9.9% 9.8% 2.5% 0.0% 35.9%
Manitoba 9.0% 42.7% 24.0% 11.2% 10.1% 3.0% 0.0% 3.5%
Saskatchewan 8.6% 43.0% 23.6% 10.7% 10.1% 4.0% 0.0% 3.1%
Alberta 6.9% 43.2% 26.4% 11.0% 9.8% 2.7% 0.0% 12.1%
British Columbia 5.6% 42.4% 28.1% 10.3% 10.5% 3.2% 0.0% 12.1%
Yukon 4.4% 38.3% 31.7% 10.4% 10.8% 4.4% 0.0% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 6.8% 40.1% 24.9% 12.8% 11.5% 4.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Nunavut 11.8% 36.1% 26.7% 15.8% 8.6% 1.1% 0.0% 0.1%
Not applicable 6.1% 54.7% 32.5% 5.4% 0.9% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1%
Total 6.2% 37.2% 24.1% 13.0% 14.6% 4.8% 0.0% 100.0%

Notes for tables 4 to 11

Active recipients by province or territory and gender

Table 8: EI active recipients by province or territory and gender – Number of active recipients
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 19,400 28,340 47,740
Prince Edward Island 4,610 6,150 10,760
Nova Scotia 16,660 20,650 37,310
New Brunswick 18,910 27,430 46,340
Quebec 63,430 120,520 183,950
Ontario 162,220 122,200 284,420
Manitoba 15,080 13,490 28,580
Saskatchewan 12,270 11,270 23,540
Alberta 50,680 43,360 94,040
British Columbia 53,840 42,340 96,180
Yukon 540 420 950
Northwest Territories 520 520 1,050
Nunavut 280 330 610
Not applicable 130 670 800
Total 418,570 437,690 856,250

Notes for tables 4 to 11

Table 9: EI active recipients by province or territory and gender – Percentage of active recipients
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 40.6% 59.4% 5.6%
Prince Edward Island 42.8% 57.2% 1.3%
Nova Scotia 44.7% 55.3% 4.4%
New Brunswick 40.8% 59.2% 5.4%
Quebec 34.5% 65.5% 21.5%
Ontario 57.0% 43.0% 33.2%
Manitoba 52.8% 47.2% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 52.1% 47.9% 2.7%
Alberta 53.9% 46.1% 11.0%
British Columbia 56.0% 44.0% 11.2%
Yukon 56.1% 43.9% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 50.1% 49.9% 0.1%
Nunavut 46.6% 53.4% 0.1%
Not applicable 15.8% 84.2% 0.1%
Total 48.9% 51.1% 100.0%

Notes for tables 4 to 11

Table 10: EI gross benefit paid to active recipients by province or territory and gender – Gross benefit paid (millions)
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 176.02 276.07 452.09
Prince Edward Island 48.15 65.53 113.68
Nova Scotia 164.72 181.57 346.29
New Brunswick 172.44 259.98 432.41
Quebec 395.58 842.47 1,238.05
Ontario 1,860.90 967.81 2,828.71
Manitoba 161.60 114.41 276.01
Saskatchewan 143.56 101.65 245.21
Alberta 584.58 371.43 956.01
British Columbia 611.88 337.57 949.45
Yukon 6.72 3.71 10.42
Northwest Territories 6.76 5.55 12.31
Nunavut 3.86 3.77 7.63
Not applicable 1.81 3.39 5.20
Total 4,338.59 3,534.90 7,873.48

Notes for tables 4 to 11

Table 11: EI gross benefit paid to active recipients by province or territory and gender – Percentage of gross benefit
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 38.9% 61.1% 5.7%
Prince Edward Island 42.4% 57.6% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 47.6% 52.4% 4.4%
New Brunswick 39.9% 60.1% 5.5%
Quebec 32.0% 68.0% 15.7%
Ontario 65.8% 34.2% 35.9%
Manitoba 58.5% 41.5% 3.5%
Saskatchewan 58.5% 41.5% 3.1%
Alberta 61.1% 38.9% 12.1%
British Columbia 64.4% 35.6% 12.1%
Yukon 64.4% 35.6% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 54.9% 45.1% 0.2%
Nunavut 50.6% 49.4% 0.1%
Not applicable 34.8% 65.2% 0.1%
Total 55.1% 44.9% 100.0%
Notes for tables 4 to 11
  • A recipient is someone who receives at least one payment
  • All values for number of recipients are rounded to the nearest 10. Rounding may cause a small difference between the total and the sum of the active recipient values
  • Gross benefit paid (millions) represents the gross amount of benefits paid, before tax. EI deducts tax at source for all EI benefits. Rounding may cause a small difference between the total and the sum of individual values
  • Not applicable is used when a recipient provides an address outside of Canada. While the EI program requires individuals to reside inside Canada to qualify, some individuals may be currently out of the country on a temporary basis, or working in Canada on a temporary basis. For example:
    • a student who is temporarily abroad
    • someone temporarily working abroad, or
    • temporary worker who has fallen ill but their home address is in another country

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