Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

  • First-time recipients
    5,680
  • Active recipients
    931,130
  • Gross benefit paid to recipients since April 1, 2025
    13.26 billion

All data is updated weekly and is current as of October 19, 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 October 13, 2025 Cumulative from April 1, 2025
Registered applications 48,440 1,713,420
Processed applications 49,460 1,682,080
Claims established (approved applications) 46,350 1,259,110
Recipients Not applicable 2,017,390
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 571,530 1,367,480
Sickness 130,530 275,720
Fishing 13,870 20,290
Maternity and parental 207,010 338,400
Caregiving 7,780 18,880
Self employed 1,150 1,890
Total 931,130 2,017,390
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 4,784.45 8,205.51
Sickness 993.09 1,602.18
Fishing 127.07 189.17
Maternity and parental 3,034.66 3,144.51
Caregiving 54.16 104.97
Self employed 11.63 12.90
Total 9,005.07 13,259.21
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 3,310 7,600 7,620 9,410 13,350 5,720 47,020
Prince Edward Island 1,740 2,410 1,860 1,730 2,210 1,270 11,200
Nova Scotia 2,930 10,340 8,160 6,600 7,970 3,460 39,470
New Brunswick 3,160 9,660 8,260 7,910 10,370 3,950 43,310
Quebec 11,240 40,010 43,630 39,260 42,920 15,140 192,190
Ontario 19,730 123,280 80,870 43,380 42,780 13,080 323,110
Manitoba 3,080 11,570 7,640 4,530 3,930 1,180 31,930
Saskatchewan 2,280 8,800 5,750 3,090 2,700 1,070 23,690
Alberta 8,400 38,800 28,030 14,940 12,450 3,870 106,490
British Columbia 6,800 39,210 29,630 14,630 14,170 4,930 109,360
Yukon 60 330 290 110 100 50 930
Northwest Territories 80 410 310 150 140 40 1,130
Nunavut 80 210 170 80 60 20 610
Not Applicable 40 350 230 50 20 20 720
Total 62,940 292,960 222,450 145,870 153,150 53,780 931,130

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 7.0% 16.2% 16.2% 20.0% 28.4% 12.2% 5.0%
Prince Edward Island 15.5% 21.5% 16.6% 15.4% 19.7% 11.3% 1.2%
Nova Scotia 7.4% 26.2% 20.7% 16.7% 20.2% 8.8% 4.2%
New Brunswick 7.3% 22.3% 19.1% 18.3% 23.9% 9.1% 4.7%
Quebec 5.8% 20.8% 22.7% 20.4% 22.3% 7.9% 20.6%
Ontario 6.1% 38.2% 25.0% 13.4% 13.2% 4.0% 34.7%
Manitoba 9.7% 36.2% 23.9% 14.2% 12.3% 3.7% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 9.6% 37.1% 24.3% 13.1% 11.4% 4.5% 2.5%
Alberta 7.9% 36.4% 26.3% 14.0% 11.7% 3.6% 11.4%
British Columbia 6.2% 35.8% 27.1% 13.4% 13.0% 4.5% 11.7%
Yukon 6.0% 35.6% 31.3% 11.3% 10.8% 5.1% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 7.3% 36.0% 27.4% 13.5% 12.5% 3.3% 0.1%
Nunavut 12.6% 33.7% 28.0% 13.4% 9.0% 3.3% 0.1%
Not Applicable 6.1% 49.0% 32.1% 7.3% 2.8% 2.8% 0.1%
Total 6.8% 31.5% 23.9% 15.7% 16.4% 5.8% 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 27.14 84.20 75.45 89.74 128.95 52.24 457.71
Prince Edward Island 8.94 24.73 17.49 15.44 19.39 10.57 96.56
Nova Scotia 22.87 111.79 78.90 55.80 67.23 28.28 364.87
New Brunswick 24.51 100.56 74.06 66.17 88.29 34.91 388.50
Quebec 65.99 280.32 314.86 285.68 321.30 111.82 1,379.98
Ontario 163.32 1,506.15 916.51 384.94 372.57 107.19 3,450.68
Manitoba 23.10 130.03 75.34 34.70 29.72 9.31 302.19
Saskatchewan 19.37 105.53 60.41 26.65 24.18 9.49 245.64
Alberta 69.58 465.89 306.90 136.61 116.43 35.18 1,130.59
British Columbia 54.39 471.63 331.62 129.27 124.60 41.94 1,153.46
Yukon 0.48 4.38 3.48 0.82 0.94 0.38 10.48
Northwest Territories 0.92 5.13 3.34 1.39 1.41 0.34 12.53
Nunavut 0.95 2.53 2.12 0.81 0.55 0.17 7.13
Not Applicable 0.24 2.50 1.61 0.33 0.07 0.01 4.76
Total 481.80 3,295.37 2,262.08 1,228.36 1,295.63 441.83 9,005.07

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 5.9% 18.4% 16.5% 19.6% 28.2% 11.4% 5.1%
Prince Edward Island 9.3% 25.6% 18.1% 16.0% 20.1% 10.9% 1.1%
Nova Scotia 6.3% 30.6% 21.6% 15.3% 18.4% 7.8% 4.1%
New Brunswick 6.3% 25.9% 19.1% 17.0% 22.7% 9.0% 4.3%
Quebec 4.8% 20.3% 22.8% 20.7% 23.3% 8.1% 15.3%
Ontario 4.7% 43.6% 26.6% 11.2% 10.8% 3.1% 38.3%
Manitoba 7.6% 43.0% 24.9% 11.5% 9.8% 3.1% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 7.9% 43.0% 24.6% 10.8% 9.8% 3.9% 2.7%
Alberta 6.2% 41.2% 27.1% 12.1% 10.3% 3.1% 12.6%
British Columbia 4.7% 40.9% 28.8% 11.2% 10.8% 3.6% 12.8%
Yukon 4.6% 41.8% 33.2% 7.8% 9.0% 3.6% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 7.3% 40.9% 26.7% 11.1% 11.2% 2.7% 0.1%
Nunavut 13.4% 35.5% 29.7% 11.4% 7.7% 2.4% 0.1%
Not Applicable 5.0% 52.6% 33.7% 6.9% 1.5% 0.3% 0.1%
Total 5.4% 36.6% 25.1% 13.6% 14.4% 4.9% 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 20,340 26,680 47,020
Prince Edward Island 5,390 5,820 11,200
Nova Scotia 18,100 21,360 39,470
New Brunswick 20,800 22,510 43,310
Quebec 77,320 114,870 192,190
Ontario 197,010 126,100 323,110
Manitoba 18,170 13,750 31,930
Saskatchewan 13,780 9,910 23,690
Alberta 61,890 44,600 106,490
British Columbia 65,560 43,800 109,360
Yukon 580 350 930
Northwest Territories 650 480 1,130
Nunavut 380 230 610
Not Applicable 150 550 700
Total 500,130 431,000 931,130

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 43.3% 56.7% 5.0%
Prince Edward Island 48.1% 51.9% 1.2%
Nova Scotia 45.9% 54.1% 4.2%
New Brunswick 48.0% 52.0% 4.7%
Quebec 40.2% 59.8% 20.6%
Ontario 61.0% 39.0% 34.7%
Manitoba 56.9% 43.1% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 58.2% 41.8% 2.5%
Alberta 58.1% 41.9% 11.4%
British Columbia 60.0% 40.0% 11.7%
Yukon 62.6% 37.4% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 57.3% 42.7% 0.1%
Nunavut 62.6% 37.4% 0.1%
Not Applicable 21.2% 78.8% 0.1%
Total 53.7% 46.3% 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 186.80 270.92 457.71
Prince Edward Island 45.89 50.67 96.56
Nova Scotia 176.63 188.23 364.87
New Brunswick 186.63 201.87 388.50
Quebec 537.20 842.78 1,379.98
Ontario 2,326.69 1,123.99 3,450.68
Manitoba 196.67 105.51 302.19
Saskatchewan 158.80 86.84 245.64
Alberta 721.72 408.87 1,130.59
British Columbia 770.51 382.95 1,153.46
Yukon 7.76 2.72 10.48
Northwest Territories 8.17 4.36 12.53
Nunavut 4.89 2.23 7.13
Not Applicable 2.01 2.75 4.76
Total 5,330.37 3,674.70 9,005.07

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 40.8% 59.2% 5.1%
Prince Edward Island 47.5% 52.5% 1.1%
Nova Scotia 48.4% 51.6% 4.1%
New Brunswick 48.0% 52.0% 4.3%
Quebec 38.9% 61.1% 15.3%
Ontario 67.4% 32.6% 38.3%
Manitoba 65.1% 34.9% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 64.6% 35.4% 2.7%
Alberta 63.8% 36.2% 12.6%
British Columbia 66.8% 33.2% 12.8%
Yukon 74.0% 26.0% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 65.2% 34.8% 0.1%
Nunavut 68.7% 31.3% 0.1%
Not Applicable 42.3% 57.7% 0.1%
Total 59.2% 40.8% 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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2025-10-03