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Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

  • First-time recipients
    7,020
  • Active recipients
    997,710
  • Gross benefit paid to recipients since April 1, 2025
    16.69 billion

All data is updated weekly and is current as of December 7, 2025

Notes
  • First-time recipients are individuals receiving an EI payment for the first time since April 1, 2025.
  • Active recipients are individuals currently receiving EI payments
  • Total gross benefit dollars are cumulative since April 1, 2025

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List of tables

Application processing statistics

Table 1: EI application processing statistics
Employment Insurance (EI) program Week starting on December 1, 2025 Cumulative from April 1, 2025
Registered applications 80,470 2,210,460
Processed applications 76,770 2,156,740
Claims established (approved applications) 56,660 1,613,550
Recipients Not applicable 2,264,860
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, 2025
  • 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, 2025
Regular 634,630 1,530,450
Sickness 132,430 324,450
Fishing 16,140 21,400
Maternity and parental 206,190 373,330
Caregiving 7,910 22,940
Self employed 1,180 2,110
Total 997,710 2,264,860
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 Cumulative benefit paid to recipients since April 1, 2025
Regular 5,032.09 10,304.97
Sickness 985.77 2,024.58
Fishing 150.76 264.43
Maternity and parental 3,093.02 3,945.95
Caregiving 55.64 136.48
Self employed 12.35 16.47
Total 9,329.62 16,692.84
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 - 34 Years 35 - 44 Years 45 - 54 Years 55 - 64 Years 65 and Older Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 3,810 7,920 7,930 9,670 13,930 6,280 49,530
Prince Edward Island 2,360 2,990 2,290 2,150 2,780 1,760 14,330
Nova Scotia 3,480 11,270 8,680 7,130 8,600 3,830 42,990
New Brunswick 3,890 10,210 8,610 8,280 10,750 4,520 46,250
Quebec 13,270 43,900 46,220 41,700 47,300 17,930 210,320
Ontario 23,080 125,730 81,380 43,540 44,470 13,870 332,060
Manitoba 3,840 12,450 8,130 4,990 4,480 1,530 35,420
Saskatchewan 2,890 9,600 6,200 3,530 3,260 1,540 27,020
Alberta 10,520 42,240 30,230 16,220 14,030 4,730 117,970
British Columbia 8,320 41,490 30,810 15,290 15,840 5,940 117,680
Yukon 130 450 400 150 170 70 1,360
Northwest Territories 100 450 340 210 160 50 1,300
Nunavut 80 190 150 90 60 20 590
Not Applicable 70 460 290 70 20 20 930
Total 75,820 309,330 231,640 153,010 165,840 62,100 997,710

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 - 34 Years 35 - 44 Years 45 - 54 Years 55 - 64 Years 65 and Older Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 7.7% 16.0% 16.0% 19.5% 28.1% 12.7% 5.0%
Prince Edward Island 16.5% 20.8% 16.0% 15.0% 19.4% 12.3% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 8.1% 26.2% 20.2% 16.6% 20.0% 8.9% 4.3%
New Brunswick 8.4% 22.1% 18.6% 17.9% 23.2% 9.8% 4.6%
Quebec 6.3% 20.9% 22.0% 19.8% 22.5% 8.5% 21.1%
Ontario 6.9% 37.9% 24.5% 13.1% 13.4% 4.2% 33.3%
Manitoba 10.8% 35.1% 22.9% 14.1% 12.7% 4.3% 3.5%
Saskatchewan 10.7% 35.5% 22.9% 13.1% 12.1% 5.7% 2.7%
Alberta 8.9% 35.8% 25.6% 13.7% 11.9% 4.0% 11.8%
British Columbia 7.1% 35.3% 26.2% 13.0% 13.5% 5.0% 11.8%
Yukon 9.4% 33.0% 29.1% 10.9% 12.4% 5.2% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 7.3% 34.3% 26.2% 15.8% 12.5% 3.9% 0.1%
Nunavut 14.2% 31.8% 25.5% 14.9% 10.3% 3.4% 0.1%
Not Applicable 7.3% 49.7% 31.5% 7.1% 2.2% 2.2% 0.1%
Total 7.6% 31.0% 23.2% 15.3% 16.6% 6.2% 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 - 34 Years 35 - 44 Years 45 - 54 Years 55 - 64 Years 65 and Older Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 29.45 83.35 74.05 84.57 120.44 50.01 441.87
Prince Edward Island 14.66 28.46 19.30 17.07 20.86 12.25 112.60
Nova Scotia 25.88 117.15 84.06 60.06 71.00 30.68 388.83
New Brunswick 27.34 101.64 72.63 63.09 80.68 34.12 379.50
Quebec 73.63 298.01 329.82 297.17 336.16 119.16 1,453.95
Ontario 176.56 1,535.89 928.08 392.18 387.47 111.54 3,531.71
Manitoba 26.82 134.63 77.34 37.24 31.33 10.46 317.81
Saskatchewan 22.33 112.93 63.92 28.89 26.20 10.87 265.15
Alberta 78.35 485.93 323.97 144.43 123.81 38.76 1,195.25
British Columbia 60.94 488.82 343.72 133.04 130.11 45.59 1,202.21
Yukon 0.95 5.28 4.26 1.19 1.30 0.50 13.48
Northwest Territories 0.83 5.46 3.77 1.80 1.54 0.46 13.86
Nunavut 0.92 2.66 1.88 0.99 0.61 0.15 7.21
Not Applicable 0.35 3.00 2.13 0.56 0.10 0.03 6.17
Total 539.02 3,403.20 2,328.94 1,262.27 1,331.61 464.58 9,329.62

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 - 34 Years 35 - 44 Years 45 - 54 Years 55 - 64 Years 65 and Older Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 6.7% 18.9% 16.8% 19.1% 27.3% 11.3% 4.7%
Prince Edward Island 13.0% 25.3% 17.1% 15.2% 18.5% 10.9% 1.2%
Nova Scotia 6.7% 30.1% 21.6% 15.4% 18.3% 7.9% 4.2%
New Brunswick 7.2% 26.8% 19.1% 16.6% 21.3% 9.0% 4.1%
Quebec 5.1% 20.5% 22.7% 20.4% 23.1% 8.2% 15.6%
Ontario 5.0% 43.5% 26.3% 11.1% 11.0% 3.2% 37.9%
Manitoba 8.4% 42.4% 24.3% 11.7% 9.9% 3.3% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 8.4% 42.6% 24.1% 10.9% 9.9% 4.1% 2.8%
Alberta 6.6% 40.7% 27.1% 12.1% 10.4% 3.2% 12.8%
British Columbia 5.1% 40.7% 28.6% 11.1% 10.8% 3.8% 12.9%
Yukon 7.0% 39.1% 31.6% 8.8% 9.7% 3.7% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 6.0% 39.4% 27.2% 13.0% 11.1% 3.3% 0.1%
Nunavut 12.7% 36.8% 26.1% 13.7% 8.5% 2.1% 0.1%
Not Applicable 5.8% 48.5% 34.6% 9.0% 1.6% 0.5% 0.1%
Total 5.8% 36.5% 25.0% 13.5% 14.3% 5.0% 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 20,990 28,540 49,530
Prince Edward Island 6,410 7,920 14,330
Nova Scotia 18,960 24,030 42,990
New Brunswick 19,730 26,510 46,250
Quebec 78,460 131,860 210,320
Ontario 189,690 142,380 332,060
Manitoba 17,620 17,800 35,420
Saskatchewan 13,830 13,190 27,020
Alberta 62,430 55,540 117,970
British Columbia 66,230 51,450 117,680
Yukon 690 670 1,360
Northwest Territories 640 670 1,300
Nunavut 330 250 580
Not Applicable 150 760 910
Total 496,140 501,570 997,710

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 42.4% 57.6% 5.0%
Prince Edward Island 44.7% 55.3% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 44.1% 55.9% 4.3%
New Brunswick 42.7% 57.3% 4.6%
Quebec 37.3% 62.7% 21.1%
Ontario 57.1% 42.9% 33.3%
Manitoba 49.7% 50.3% 3.5%
Saskatchewan 51.2% 48.8% 2.7%
Alberta 52.9% 47.1% 11.8%
British Columbia 56.3% 43.7% 11.8%
Yukon 50.6% 49.4% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 48.8% 51.2% 0.1%
Nunavut 56.5% 43.5% 0.1%
Not Applicable 16.4% 83.6% 0.1%
Total 49.7% 50.3% 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 181.87 260.00 441.87
Prince Edward Island 52.30 60.29 112.60
Nova Scotia 182.31 206.52 388.83
New Brunswick 176.85 202.65 379.50
Quebec 546.49 907.46 1,453.95
Ontario 2,335.51 1,196.21 3,531.71
Manitoba 198.02 119.79 317.81
Saskatchewan 165.16 100.00 265.15
Alberta 741.24 454.01 1,195.25
British Columbia 788.53 413.69 1,202.21
Yukon 8.83 4.66 13.48
Northwest Territories 8.28 5.58 13.86
Nunavut 4.75 2.46 7.21
Not Applicable 2.01 4.16 6.17
Total 5,392.12 3,937.50 9,329.62

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 41.2% 58.8% 4.7%
Prince Edward Island 46.5% 53.5% 1.2%
Nova Scotia 46.9% 53.1% 4.2%
New Brunswick 46.6% 53.4% 4.1%
Quebec 37.6% 62.4% 15.6%
Ontario 66.1% 33.9% 37.9%
Manitoba 62.3% 37.7% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 62.3% 37.7% 2.8%
Alberta 62.0% 38.0% 12.8%
British Columbia 65.6% 34.4% 12.9%
Yukon 65.5% 34.5% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 59.7% 40.3% 0.1%
Nunavut 65.8% 34.2% 0.1%
Not Applicable 32.5% 67.5% 0.1%
Total 57.8% 42.2% 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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2025-11-27