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Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

  • First-time recipients
    6,990
  • Active recipients
    1,101,580
  • Gross benefit paid to recipients since April 1, 2026
    9.58 billion

All data is updated weekly and is current as of August 16, 2026

Notes
  • First-time recipients are individuals receiving an EI payment for the first time since April 1, 2026.
  • Active recipients are individuals currently receiving EI payments
  • Total gross benefit dollars are cumulative since April 1, 2026

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List of tables

Application processing statistics

Table 1: EI application processing statistics
Employment Insurance (EI) program Week starting on August 10, 2026 Cumulative from April 1, 2026
Registered applications 48,000 1,195,530
Processed applications 53,850 1,167,970
Claims established (approved applications) 40,490 817,920
Recipients Not applicable 1,742,870
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, 2026
  • 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, 2026
Regular 729,730 1,177,290
Sickness 138,960 231,980
Fishing 11,830 19,280
Maternity and parental 212,010 299,090
Caregiving 8,510 15,900
Self employed 1,230 1,700
Total 1,101,580 1,742,870
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, 2026
Regular 6,709.31 5,918.59
Sickness 1,086.83 1,175.83
Fishing 65.07 116.90
Maternity and parental 3,274.66 2,279.46
Caregiving 62.65 79.07
Self employed 13.28 9.68
Total 11,211.80 9,579.44
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 2,450 6,770 7,240 8,620 12,500 5,490 43,070
Prince Edward Island 650 2,380 2,020 1,820 2,130 1,180 10,180
Nova Scotia 2,410 10,790 9,150 7,450 8,580 3,600 41,970
New Brunswick 2,760 10,160 9,390 9,080 11,240 4,330 46,950
Quebec 11,130 45,620 55,780 50,310 50,320 19,510 232,680
Ontario 18,150 134,900 103,510 63,870 59,720 19,500 399,630
Manitoba 2,690 12,120 10,240 7,330 6,110 1,840 40,320
Saskatchewan 1,890 9,210 7,500 4,760 3,980 1,380 28,710
Alberta 6,770 39,340 32,640 20,370 16,080 4,800 120,000
British Columbia 6,650 43,020 37,110 22,020 19,640 6,200 134,630
Yukon 40 360 300 90 80 30 900
Northwest Territories 70 390 300 150 130 50 1,090
Nunavut 80 240 210 120 80 30 750
Not Applicable 50 410 220 30 20 20 750
Total 55,770 315,700 275,580 196,010 190,590 67,960 1,101,580

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 5.7% 15.7% 16.8% 20.0% 29.0% 12.7% 3.9%
Prince Edward Island 6.4% 23.4% 19.9% 17.9% 20.9% 11.6% 0.9%
Nova Scotia 5.7% 25.7% 21.8% 17.7% 20.4% 8.6% 3.8%
New Brunswick 5.9% 21.6% 20.0% 19.3% 23.9% 9.2% 4.3%
Quebec 4.8% 19.6% 24.0% 21.6% 21.6% 8.4% 21.1%
Ontario 4.5% 33.8% 25.9% 16.0% 14.9% 4.9% 36.3%
Manitoba 6.7% 30.1% 25.4% 18.2% 15.1% 4.6% 3.7%
Saskatchewan 6.6% 32.1% 26.1% 16.6% 13.9% 4.8% 2.6%
Alberta 5.6% 32.8% 27.2% 17.0% 13.4% 4.0% 10.9%
British Columbia 4.9% 32.0% 27.6% 16.4% 14.6% 4.6% 12.2%
Yukon 4.3% 40.2% 33.4% 9.5% 8.8% 3.8% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 6.6% 35.4% 28.0% 13.5% 12.3% 4.1% 0.1%
Nunavut 10.8% 32.0% 27.3% 15.7% 10.8% 3.3% 0.1%
Not Applicable 6.4% 54.8% 29.0% 4.4% 2.7% 2.7% 0.1%
Total 5.1% 28.7% 25.0% 17.8% 17.3% 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 22.71 80.99 77.61 87.15 132.61 56.26 457.33
Prince Edward Island 6.45 28.58 21.11 17.41 21.51 11.93 106.99
Nova Scotia 18.18 119.99 87.10 62.34 75.04 29.95 392.59
New Brunswick 24.15 113.50 92.95 87.32 115.22 46.88 480.03
Quebec 65.87 337.22 429.56 400.64 440.49 165.75 1,839.52
Ontario 153.73 1,663.27 1,183.62 599.41 594.27 179.04 4,373.33
Manitoba 20.29 134.98 94.10 54.09 50.39 15.25 369.09
Saskatchewan 17.15 113.06 76.30 41.57 36.94 12.57 297.59
Alberta 61.67 503.54 379.13 203.26 175.92 52.66 1,376.18
British Columbia 55.61 536.54 419.44 202.73 199.76 64.31 1,478.39
Yukon 0.37 4.92 4.04 0.95 1.01 0.46 11.75
Northwest Territories 0.82 5.47 4.24 1.86 1.63 0.58 14.60
Nunavut 0.83 2.88 2.38 1.47 0.96 0.27 8.79
Not Applicable 0.30 3.33 1.66 0.20 0.08 0.02 5.60
Total 448.14 3,648.27 2,873.24 1,760.39 1,845.83 635.92 11,211.80

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 5.0% 17.7% 17.0% 19.1% 29.0% 12.3% 4.1%
Prince Edward Island 6.0% 26.7% 19.7% 16.3% 20.1% 11.1% 1.0%
Nova Scotia 4.6% 30.6% 22.2% 15.9% 19.1% 7.6% 3.5%
New Brunswick 5.0% 23.6% 19.4% 18.2% 24.0% 9.8% 4.3%
Quebec 3.6% 18.3% 23.4% 21.8% 23.9% 9.0% 16.4%
Ontario 3.5% 38.0% 27.1% 13.7% 13.6% 4.1% 39.0%
Manitoba 5.5% 36.6% 25.5% 14.7% 13.7% 4.1% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 5.8% 38.0% 25.6% 14.0% 12.4% 4.2% 2.7%
Alberta 4.5% 36.6% 27.5% 14.8% 12.8% 3.8% 12.3%
British Columbia 3.8% 36.3% 28.4% 13.7% 13.5% 4.3% 13.2%
Yukon 3.1% 41.9% 34.4% 8.1% 8.6% 3.9% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 5.6% 37.5% 29.1% 12.7% 11.2% 4.0% 0.1%
Nunavut 9.5% 32.7% 27.1% 16.7% 11.0% 3.1% 0.1%
Not Applicable 5.4% 59.5% 29.7% 3.6% 1.4% 0.4% 0.0%
Total 4.0% 32.5% 25.6% 15.7% 16.5% 5.7% 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 19,320 23,750 43,070
Prince Edward Island 4,830 5,350 10,180
Nova Scotia 20,590 21,370 41,970
New Brunswick 23,540 23,410 46,950
Quebec 106,700 125,980 232,680
Ontario 257,030 142,600 399,630
Manitoba 25,950 14,370 40,320
Saskatchewan 19,050 9,660 28,710
Alberta 75,680 44,320 120,000
British Columbia 84,840 49,780 134,630
Yukon 580 320 900
Northwest Territories 620 460 1,090
Nunavut 400 350 750
Not Applicable 140 580 720
Total 639,270 462,310 1,101,580

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 44.9% 55.1% 3.9%
Prince Edward Island 47.4% 52.6% 0.9%
Nova Scotia 49.1% 50.9% 3.8%
New Brunswick 50.1% 49.9% 4.3%
Quebec 45.9% 54.1% 21.1%
Ontario 64.3% 35.7% 36.3%
Manitoba 64.4% 35.6% 3.7%
Saskatchewan 66.3% 33.7% 2.6%
Alberta 63.1% 36.9% 10.9%
British Columbia 63.0% 37.0% 12.2%
Yukon 64.2% 35.8% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 57.3% 42.7% 0.1%
Nunavut 52.8% 47.2% 0.1%
Not Applicable 19.2% 80.8% 0.1%
Total 58.0% 42.0% 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 197.80 259.54 457.33
Prince Edward Island 50.36 56.63 106.99
Nova Scotia 201.91 190.68 392.59
New Brunswick 229.94 250.08 480.03
Quebec 748.00 1,091.52 1,839.52
Ontario 2,910.78 1,462.54 4,373.33
Manitoba 244.23 124.86 369.09
Saskatchewan 199.15 98.44 297.59
Alberta 870.25 505.94 1,376.18
British Columbia 964.80 513.59 1,478.39
Yukon 8.32 3.43 11.75
Northwest Territories 8.81 5.80 14.60
Nunavut 4.79 4.00 8.79
Not Applicable 1.98 3.62 5.60
Total 6,641.12 4,570.68 11,211.80

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 43.2% 56.8% 4.1%
Prince Edward Island 47.1% 52.9% 1.0%
Nova Scotia 51.4% 48.6% 3.5%
New Brunswick 47.9% 52.1% 4.3%
Quebec 40.7% 59.3% 16.4%
Ontario 66.6% 33.4% 39.0%
Manitoba 66.2% 33.8% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 66.9% 33.1% 2.7%
Alberta 63.2% 36.8% 12.3%
British Columbia 65.3% 34.7% 13.2%
Yukon 70.8% 29.2% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 60.3% 39.7% 0.1%
Nunavut 54.5% 45.5% 0.1%
Not Applicable 35.4% 64.6% 0.0%
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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2026-05-22