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Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

All data is current as of July 21, 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 July 15, 2024 Cumulative from April 1, 2024
Registered applications 77,900 950,980
Processed applications 92,900 901,330
Claims established (approved applications) 69,980 661,580
Recipients Not applicable 1,406,580
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 596,920 940,410
Sickness 116,980 181,000
Fishing 8,970 18,930
Maternity and parental 193,670 255,240
Caregiving 6,500 10,710
Self employed 910 1,240
Total 923,950 1,406,580
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 3,935.28 3,403.70
Sickness 784.49 720.06
Fishing 35.53 73.23
Maternity and parental 2,736.87 1,533.06
Caregiving 41.21 42.86
Self employed 7.88 5.09
Total 7,541.27 5,778.01
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 Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 3,000 7,490 7,720 9,800 13,890 5,170 47,060
Prince Edward Island 760 2,120 1,720 1,760 2,150 1,150 9,660
Nova Scotia 2,710 9,960 7,990 6,780 8,470 3,210 39,110
New Brunswick 3,100 9,740 8,730 9,170 12,070 4,210 47,020
Quebec 10,310 38,140 40,340 37,050 44,330 15,500 185,670
Ontario 18,620 118,530 80,390 49,370 46,090 12,940 325,940
Manitoba 2,940 10,920 7,940 5,410 4,680 1,300 33,170
Saskatchewan 2,250 9,270 6,430 4,060 3,570 1,170 26,760
Alberta 7,690 36,280 26,390 15,450 12,880 3,440 102,120
British Columbia 6,250 36,090 27,710 15,420 14,360 4,330 104,160
Yukon 40 330 280 100 100 40 900
Northwest Territories 70 370 240 130 120 30 960
Nunavut 90 250 150 110 60 20 670
Not applicable 50 390 250 60 20 20 780
Total 57,870 279,890 216,270 154,660 162,770 52,520 923,950

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 Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 6.4% 15.9% 16.4% 20.8% 29.5% 11.0% 5.1%
Prince Edward Island 7.9% 21.9% 17.8% 18.2% 22.2% 11.9% 1.0%
Nova Scotia 6.9% 25.5% 20.4% 17.3% 21.6% 8.2% 4.2%
New Brunswick 6.6% 20.7% 18.6% 19.5% 25.7% 9.0% 5.1%
Quebec 5.6% 20.5% 21.7% 20.0% 23.9% 8.3% 20.1%
Ontario 5.7% 36.4% 24.7% 15.1% 14.1% 4.0% 35.3%
Manitoba 8.9% 32.9% 23.9% 16.3% 14.1% 3.9% 3.6%
Saskatchewan 8.4% 34.7% 24.0% 15.2% 13.3% 4.4% 2.9%
Alberta 7.5% 35.5% 25.8% 15.1% 12.6% 3.4% 11.1%
British Columbia 6.0% 34.7% 26.6% 14.8% 13.8% 4.2% 11.3%
Yukon 4.4% 37.2% 30.7% 11.6% 11.4% 4.7% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 6.8% 38.9% 24.7% 13.0% 12.9% 3.5% 0.1%
Nunavut 13.7% 36.8% 22.4% 15.9% 8.2% 3.0% 0.1%
Not applicable 5.7% 50.1% 31.9% 7.1% 2.6% 2.6% 0.1%
Total 6.3% 30.3% 23.4% 16.7% 17.6% 5.7% 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 Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 24.71 74.70 68.77 83.91 124.37 46.07 422.54
Prince Edward Island 7.29 22.50 16.34 15.36 18.49 10.69 90.67
Nova Scotia 20.77 101.36 66.87 47.52 59.94 23.37 319.82
New Brunswick 26.10 94.62 72.65 72.31 101.79 39.05 406.53
Quebec 56.69 228.04 240.61 222.04 275.12 93.86 1,116.37
Ontario 143.28 1,288.11 738.08 289.99 279.89 71.96 2,811.31
Manitoba 20.79 110.71 64.41 28.61 25.02 7.41 256.96
Saskatchewan 18.23 101.93 54.40 23.99 22.46 7.88 228.90
Alberta 61.81 403.72 247.42 103.03 89.54 23.91 929.43
British Columbia 47.45 393.13 264.63 95.67 96.80 29.11 926.80
Yukon 0.31 3.78 2.97 0.86 0.89 0.34 9.15
Northwest Territories 0.67 4.66 2.78 1.24 1.17 0.32 10.84
Nunavut 0.96 2.75 1.63 1.15 0.52 0.06 7.06
Not applicable 0.26 2.75 1.53 0.27 0.08 0.02 4.90
Total 429.33 2,832.77 1,843.11 985.94 1,096.09 354.03 7,541.27

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 Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 5.8% 17.7% 16.3% 19.9% 29.4% 10.9% 5.6%
Prince Edward Island 8.0% 24.8% 18.0% 16.9% 20.4% 11.8% 1.2%
Nova Scotia 6.5% 31.7% 20.9% 14.9% 18.7% 7.3% 4.2%
New Brunswick 6.4% 23.3% 17.9% 17.8% 25.0% 9.6% 5.4%
Quebec 5.1% 20.4% 21.6% 19.9% 24.6% 8.4% 14.8%
Ontario 5.1% 45.8% 26.3% 10.3% 10.0% 2.6% 37.3%
Manitoba 8.1% 43.1% 25.1% 11.1% 9.7% 2.9% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 8.0% 44.5% 23.8% 10.5% 9.8% 3.4% 3.0%
Alberta 6.7% 43.4% 26.6% 11.1% 9.6% 2.6% 12.3%
British Columbia 5.1% 42.4% 28.6% 10.3% 10.4% 3.1% 12.3%
Yukon 3.4% 41.3% 32.4% 9.4% 9.7% 3.7% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 6.2% 43.0% 25.7% 11.4% 10.8% 3.0% 0.1%
Nunavut 13.5% 39.0% 23.1% 16.2% 7.4% 0.8% 0.1%
Not applicable 5.3% 56.1% 31.2% 5.5% 1.6% 0.3% 0.1%
Total 5.7% 37.6% 24.4% 13.1% 14.5% 4.7% 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 20,350 26,710 47,060
Prince Edward Island 4,590 5,070 9,660
Nova Scotia 18,710 20,400 39,110
New Brunswick 22,700 24,330 47,020
Quebec 74,130 111,540 185,670
Ontario 208,160 117,780 325,940
Manitoba 20,980 12,190 33,170
Saskatchewan 16,640 10,120 26,760
Alberta 61,580 40,540 102,120
British Columbia 64,420 39,740 104,160
Yukon 570 330 900
Northwest Territories 550 410 960
Nunavut 360 310 670
Not applicable 140 620 760
Total 513,870 410,080 923,950

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 43.2% 56.8% 5.1%
Prince Edward Island 47.5% 52.5% 1.0%
Nova Scotia 47.8% 52.2% 4.2%
New Brunswick 48.3% 51.7% 5.1%
Quebec 39.9% 60.1% 20.1%
Ontario 63.9% 36.1% 35.3%
Manitoba 63.2% 36.8% 3.6%
Saskatchewan 62.2% 37.8% 2.9%
Alberta 60.3% 39.7% 11.1%
British Columbia 61.8% 38.2% 11.3%
Yukon 63.7% 36.3% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 57.7% 42.3% 0.1%
Nunavut 53.2% 46.8% 0.1%
Not applicable 18.2% 81.8% 0.1%
Total 55.6% 44.4% 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 169.68 252.86 422.54
Prince Edward Island 40.61 50.06 90.67
Nova Scotia 157.86 161.96 319.82
New Brunswick 177.51 229.01 406.53
Quebec 390.81 725.56 1,116.37
Ontario 1,915.03 896.29 2,811.31
Manitoba 163.82 93.14 256.96
Saskatchewan 144.42 84.48 228.90
Alberta 590.24 339.19 929.43
British Columbia 616.60 310.20 926.80
Yukon 6.53 2.62 9.15
Northwest Territories 6.74 4.10 10.84
Nunavut 3.78 3.28 7.06
Not applicable 2.01 2.89 4.90
Total 4,385.64 3,155.63 7,541.27

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 40.2% 59.8% 5.6%
Prince Edward Island 44.8% 55.2% 1.2%
Nova Scotia 49.4% 50.6% 4.2%
New Brunswick 43.7% 56.3% 5.4%
Quebec 35.0% 65.0% 14.8%
Ontario 68.1% 31.9% 37.3%
Manitoba 63.8% 36.2% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 63.1% 36.9% 3.0%
Alberta 63.5% 36.5% 12.3%
British Columbia 66.5% 33.5% 12.3%
Yukon 71.4% 28.6% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 62.2% 37.8% 0.1%
Nunavut 53.5% 46.5% 0.1%
Not applicable 41.0% 59.0% 0.1%
Total 58.2% 41.8% 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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