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Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

  • First-time recipients
    6,800
  • Active recipients
    1,171,240
  • Gross benefit paid to recipients since April 1, 2025
    25.92 billion

All data is updated weekly and is current as of March 22, 2026

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 March 16, 2026 Cumulative from April 1, 2025
Registered applications 60,970 3,320,660
Processed applications 63,760 3,276,260
Claims established (approved applications) 40,930 2,440,300
Recipients Not applicable 2,778,880
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 804,470 1,885,840
Sickness 133,630 414,550
Fishing 16,680 22,110
Maternity and parental 207,690 447,860
Caregiving 8,280 31,050
Self employed 1,200 2,610
Total 1,171,240 2,778,880
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 6,839.02 16,661.01
Sickness 995.78 2,909.08
Fishing 177.08 424.72
Maternity and parental 3,183.26 5,697.02
Caregiving 58.40 204.07
Self employed 12.63 24.17
Total 11,266.16 25,920.01
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 - 34 Years 35 - 44 Years 45 - 54 Years 55 - 64 Years 65 and Older Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 4,210 8,500 8,720 10,510 15,330 7,040 54,300
Prince Edward Island 1,930 3,280 2,590 2,460 3,150 2,030 15,440
Nova Scotia 3,920 12,090 9,390 7,580 9,210 4,020 46,210
New Brunswick 4,470 11,680 10,380 10,290 13,010 5,330 55,160
Quebec 18,910 56,120 59,110 51,420 56,370 22,100 264,030
Ontario 30,980 143,550 98,720 56,960 57,070 17,660 404,930
Manitoba 4,230 13,270 8,980 5,490 5,050 1,700 38,720
Saskatchewan 3,430 10,240 6,980 4,110 3,760 1,780 30,300
Alberta 13,310 46,040 32,850 17,770 14,940 5,010 129,920
British Columbia 9,510 43,830 33,610 17,630 17,340 6,220 128,140
Yukon 140 450 410 150 160 70 1,390
Northwest Territories 110 440 320 160 140 50 1,230
Nunavut 80 180 150 90 60 20 580
Not Applicable 70 500 280 50 20 20 940
Total 95,290 350,170 272,500 184,660 195,610 73,040 1,171,240

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% 15.6% 16.1% 19.3% 28.2% 13.0% 4.6%
Prince Edward Island 12.5% 21.3% 16.8% 15.9% 20.4% 13.1% 1.3%
Nova Scotia 8.5% 26.2% 20.3% 16.4% 19.9% 8.7% 3.9%
New Brunswick 8.1% 21.2% 18.8% 18.7% 23.6% 9.7% 4.7%
Quebec 7.2% 21.3% 22.4% 19.5% 21.4% 8.4% 22.5%
Ontario 7.7% 35.4% 24.4% 14.1% 14.1% 4.4% 34.6%
Manitoba 10.9% 34.3% 23.2% 14.2% 13.0% 4.4% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 11.3% 33.8% 23.0% 13.6% 12.4% 5.9% 2.6%
Alberta 10.2% 35.4% 25.3% 13.7% 11.5% 3.9% 11.1%
British Columbia 7.4% 34.2% 26.2% 13.8% 13.5% 4.9% 10.9%
Yukon 10.0% 32.6% 29.4% 10.8% 11.8% 5.3% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 8.6% 36.0% 26.4% 13.3% 11.7% 4.1% 0.1%
Nunavut 13.1% 30.6% 26.2% 16.2% 10.5% 3.4% 0.0%
Not Applicable 7.3% 53.4% 29.9% 5.1% 2.1% 2.1% 0.1%
Total 8.1% 29.9% 23.3% 15.8% 16.7% 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 38.43 93.07 85.54 98.63 144.84 70.88 531.39
Prince Edward Island 18.47 36.27 26.85 23.96 29.81 19.95 155.30
Nova Scotia 30.04 129.93 92.49 66.15 78.66 35.27 432.55
New Brunswick 37.31 121.93 93.79 86.01 110.79 48.83 498.67
Quebec 120.91 405.58 436.00 385.57 437.05 174.06 1,959.17
Ontario 241.29 1,705.23 1,086.98 493.95 490.12 147.67 4,165.25
Manitoba 33.99 148.93 92.70 46.31 42.76 15.21 379.89
Saskatchewan 29.28 126.02 75.72 38.46 35.97 16.95 322.40
Alberta 107.93 554.09 372.69 178.62 152.91 50.41 1,416.65
British Columbia 76.27 527.97 380.14 160.91 157.12 56.70 1,359.10
Yukon 1.28 6.01 5.07 1.59 1.84 0.77 16.56
Northwest Territories 1.10 5.60 4.13 1.97 1.64 0.53 14.97
Nunavut 0.89 2.37 1.94 1.03 0.71 0.17 7.11
Not Applicable 0.41 3.86 2.34 0.42 0.09 0.04 7.15
Total 737.62 3,866.85 2,756.38 1,583.57 1,684.31 637.43 11,266.16

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 7.2% 17.5% 16.1% 18.6% 27.3% 13.3% 4.7%
Prince Edward Island 11.9% 23.4% 17.3% 15.4% 19.2% 12.8% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 6.9% 30.0% 21.4% 15.3% 18.2% 8.2% 3.8%
New Brunswick 7.5% 24.5% 18.8% 17.2% 22.2% 9.8% 4.4%
Quebec 6.2% 20.7% 22.3% 19.7% 22.3% 8.9% 17.4%
Ontario 5.8% 40.9% 26.1% 11.9% 11.8% 3.5% 37.0%
Manitoba 8.9% 39.2% 24.4% 12.2% 11.3% 4.0% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 9.1% 39.1% 23.5% 11.9% 11.2% 5.3% 2.9%
Alberta 7.6% 39.1% 26.3% 12.6% 10.8% 3.6% 12.6%
British Columbia 5.6% 38.8% 28.0% 11.8% 11.6% 4.2% 12.1%
Yukon 7.7% 36.3% 30.6% 9.6% 11.1% 4.6% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 7.3% 37.4% 27.6% 13.1% 11.0% 3.6% 0.1%
Nunavut 12.6% 33.3% 27.3% 14.5% 9.9% 2.3% 0.1%
Not Applicable 5.8% 53.9% 32.7% 5.9% 1.2% 0.5% 0.1%
Total 6.5% 34.3% 24.5% 14.1% 15.0% 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 21,470 32,830 54,300
Prince Edward Island 6,360 9,080 15,440
Nova Scotia 19,190 27,010 46,210
New Brunswick 22,770 32,390 55,160
Quebec 85,150 178,880 264,030
Ontario 207,520 197,410 404,930
Manitoba 17,480 21,240 38,720
Saskatchewan 14,040 16,260 30,300
Alberta 61,480 68,440 129,920
British Columbia 68,460 59,680 128,140
Yukon 670 720 1,390
Northwest Territories 560 660 1,230
Nunavut 280 300 580
Not Applicable 140 770 920
Total 525,570 645,670 1,171,240

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 39.5% 60.5% 4.6%
Prince Edward Island 41.2% 58.8% 1.3%
Nova Scotia 41.5% 58.5% 3.9%
New Brunswick 41.3% 58.7% 4.7%
Quebec 32.3% 67.7% 22.5%
Ontario 51.2% 48.8% 34.6%
Manitoba 45.1% 54.9% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 46.3% 53.7% 2.6%
Alberta 47.3% 52.7% 11.1%
British Columbia 53.4% 46.6% 10.9%
Yukon 48.4% 51.6% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 46.0% 54.0% 0.1%
Nunavut 48.7% 51.3% 0.0%
Not Applicable 15.5% 84.5% 0.1%
Total 44.9% 55.1% 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 217.84 313.55 531.39
Prince Edward Island 65.93 89.38 155.30
Nova Scotia 200.43 232.12 432.55
New Brunswick 210.36 288.31 498.67
Quebec 642.24 1,316.93 1,959.17
Ontario 2,479.98 1,685.26 4,165.25
Manitoba 206.87 173.03 379.89
Saskatchewan 174.60 147.80 322.40
Alberta 779.62 637.02 1,416.65
British Columbia 830.59 528.51 1,359.10
Yukon 9.71 6.85 16.56
Northwest Territories 7.98 6.99 14.97
Nunavut 4.09 3.02 7.11
Not Applicable 2.30 4.85 7.15
Total 5,832.54 5,433.63 11,266.16

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 41.0% 59.0% 4.7%
Prince Edward Island 42.5% 57.5% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 46.3% 53.7% 3.8%
New Brunswick 42.2% 57.8% 4.4%
Quebec 32.8% 67.2% 17.4%
Ontario 59.5% 40.5% 37.0%
Manitoba 54.5% 45.5% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 54.2% 45.8% 2.9%
Alberta 55.0% 45.0% 12.6%
British Columbia 61.1% 38.9% 12.1%
Yukon 58.6% 41.4% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 53.3% 46.7% 0.1%
Nunavut 57.5% 42.5% 0.1%
Not Applicable 32.2% 67.8% 0.1%
Total 51.8% 48.2% 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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2026-01-29