Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

  • First-time recipients
    5,470
  • Active recipients
    938,070
  • Gross benefit paid to recipients since April 1, 2025
    14.66 billion

All data is updated weekly and is current as of November 9, 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

On this page

List of tables

Application processing statistics

Table 1: EI application processing statistics
Employment Insurance (EI) program Week starting on November 3, 2025 Cumulative from April 1, 2025
Registered applications 73,550 1,912,320
Processed applications 67,270 1,872,060
Claims established (approved applications) 50,900 1,401,740
Recipients Not applicable 2,121,060
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 576,050 1,432,620
Sickness 131,580 297,880
Fishing 15,710 20,900
Maternity and parental 206,400 353,860
Caregiving 7,900 20,780
Self employed 1,170 1,990
Total 938,070 2,121,060
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 4,790.15 9,034.72
Sickness 990.01 1,786.05
Fishing 145.46 220.17
Maternity and parental 3,051.46 3,488.06
Caregiving 54.47 118.82
Self employed 11.84 14.42
Total 9,043.39 14,662.21
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 3,590 7,730 7,740 9,530 13,660 6,090 48,330
Prince Edward Island 2,110 2,680 2,060 1,940 2,500 1,540 12,810
Nova Scotia 3,100 10,560 8,180 6,700 8,120 3,650 40,300
New Brunswick 3,510 9,840 8,140 7,810 10,310 4,110 43,720
Quebec 11,530 39,840 42,990 38,750 43,390 15,530 192,040
Ontario 21,180 122,810 78,840 41,420 41,770 12,410 318,430
Manitoba 3,290 11,560 7,420 4,340 3,830 1,220 31,660
Saskatchewan 2,620 9,120 5,770 3,160 2,820 1,200 24,690
Alberta 9,860 40,370 28,580 15,110 12,710 4,180 110,800
British Columbia 7,510 40,130 29,630 14,410 14,620 5,280 111,590
Yukon 90 400 340 120 130 60 1,140
Northwest Territories 90 430 330 170 150 40 1,210
Nunavut 80 190 160 80 60 20 590
Not Applicable 50 380 260 70 20 20 800
Total 68,610 296,040 220,420 143,610 154,090 55,340 938,070

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 7.4% 16.0% 16.0% 19.7% 28.3% 12.6% 5.2%
Prince Edward Island 16.4% 20.9% 16.1% 15.1% 19.5% 12.0% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 7.7% 26.2% 20.3% 16.6% 20.1% 9.1% 4.3%
New Brunswick 8.0% 22.5% 18.6% 17.9% 23.6% 9.4% 4.7%
Quebec 6.0% 20.7% 22.4% 20.2% 22.6% 8.1% 20.5%
Ontario 6.7% 38.6% 24.8% 13.0% 13.1% 3.9% 33.9%
Manitoba 10.4% 36.5% 23.4% 13.7% 12.1% 3.9% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 10.6% 36.9% 23.4% 12.8% 11.4% 4.8% 2.6%
Alberta 8.9% 36.4% 25.8% 13.6% 11.5% 3.8% 11.8%
British Columbia 6.7% 36.0% 26.6% 12.9% 13.1% 4.7% 11.9%
Yukon 8.2% 34.8% 29.8% 10.6% 11.5% 5.0% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 7.7% 35.5% 27.1% 14.0% 12.5% 3.2% 0.1%
Nunavut 12.7% 32.8% 27.0% 14.3% 9.8% 3.4% 0.1%
Not Applicable 6.5% 48.0% 32.3% 8.3% 2.5% 2.5% 0.1%
Total 7.3% 31.6% 23.5% 15.3% 16.4% 5.9% 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 28.34 83.48 74.97 88.53 126.65 52.71 454.69
Prince Edward Island 11.55 25.95 17.88 15.94 19.76 11.21 102.29
Nova Scotia 24.45 114.16 80.84 57.80 68.62 29.73 375.61
New Brunswick 25.58 99.94 71.21 61.94 83.08 33.36 375.11
Quebec 67.40 281.47 315.53 284.86 323.38 112.23 1,384.87
Ontario 169.14 1,507.18 910.34 378.74 372.21 105.52 3,443.14
Manitoba 24.57 130.80 74.62 33.98 28.99 9.49 302.45
Saskatchewan 21.06 108.91 60.69 27.36 24.95 9.80 252.76
Alberta 74.77 474.27 311.50 137.36 117.31 36.52 1,151.72
British Columbia 57.08 477.69 334.94 127.35 124.42 42.64 1,164.12
Yukon 0.65 4.88 3.67 0.94 1.00 0.41 11.55
Northwest Territories 0.93 5.30 3.43 1.51 1.40 0.37 12.95
Nunavut 0.91 2.59 1.95 0.85 0.57 0.16 7.02
Not Applicable 0.27 2.54 1.81 0.44 0.07 0.02 5.13
Total 506.70 3,319.17 2,263.39 1,217.58 1,292.39 444.16 9,043.39

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 6.2% 18.4% 16.5% 19.5% 27.9% 11.6% 5.0%
Prince Edward Island 11.3% 25.4% 17.5% 15.6% 19.3% 11.0% 1.1%
Nova Scotia 6.5% 30.4% 21.5% 15.4% 18.3% 7.9% 4.2%
New Brunswick 6.8% 26.6% 19.0% 16.5% 22.1% 8.9% 4.1%
Quebec 4.9% 20.3% 22.8% 20.6% 23.4% 8.1% 15.3%
Ontario 4.9% 43.8% 26.4% 11.0% 10.8% 3.1% 38.1%
Manitoba 8.1% 43.2% 24.7% 11.2% 9.6% 3.1% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 8.3% 43.1% 24.0% 10.8% 9.9% 3.9% 2.8%
Alberta 6.5% 41.2% 27.0% 11.9% 10.2% 3.2% 12.7%
British Columbia 4.9% 41.0% 28.8% 10.9% 10.7% 3.7% 12.9%
Yukon 5.7% 42.2% 31.7% 8.1% 8.7% 3.5% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 7.2% 41.0% 26.5% 11.7% 10.8% 2.8% 0.1%
Nunavut 12.9% 36.8% 27.8% 12.1% 8.2% 2.3% 0.1%
Not Applicable 5.2% 49.4% 35.2% 8.5% 1.3% 0.4% 0.1%
Total 5.6% 36.7% 25.0% 13.5% 14.3% 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 20,710 27,620 48,330
Prince Edward Island 5,880 6,930 12,810
Nova Scotia 18,050 22,250 40,300
New Brunswick 19,450 24,260 43,720
Quebec 75,270 116,770 192,040
Ontario 189,290 129,140 318,430
Manitoba 17,330 14,330 31,660
Saskatchewan 13,590 11,110 24,690
Alberta 61,620 49,180 110,800
British Columbia 64,810 46,780 111,590
Yukon 650 490 1,140
Northwest Territories 630 580 1,210
Nunavut 350 240 590
Not Applicable 160 620 770
Total 487,780 450,290 938,070

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 42.9% 57.1% 5.2%
Prince Edward Island 45.9% 54.1% 1.4%
Nova Scotia 44.8% 55.2% 4.3%
New Brunswick 44.5% 55.5% 4.7%
Quebec 39.2% 60.8% 20.5%
Ontario 59.4% 40.6% 33.9%
Manitoba 54.7% 45.3% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 55.0% 45.0% 2.6%
Alberta 55.6% 44.4% 11.8%
British Columbia 58.1% 41.9% 11.9%
Yukon 56.8% 43.2% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 52.1% 47.9% 0.1%
Nunavut 59.8% 40.2% 0.1%
Not Applicable 20.0% 80.0% 0.1%
Total 52.0% 48.0% 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 185.15 269.54 454.69
Prince Edward Island 47.92 54.37 102.29
Nova Scotia 176.55 199.05 375.61
New Brunswick 174.48 200.63 375.11
Quebec 531.02 853.85 1,384.87
Ontario 2,305.90 1,137.23 3,443.14
Manitoba 193.94 108.51 302.45
Saskatchewan 160.88 91.88 252.76
Alberta 728.08 423.64 1,151.72
British Columbia 772.22 391.90 1,164.12
Yukon 8.25 3.30 11.55
Northwest Territories 8.20 4.74 12.95
Nunavut 4.76 2.25 7.02
Not Applicable 2.09 3.04 5.13
Total 5,299.45 3,743.94 9,043.39

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 40.7% 59.3% 5.0%
Prince Edward Island 46.8% 53.2% 1.1%
Nova Scotia 47.0% 53.0% 4.2%
New Brunswick 46.5% 53.5% 4.1%
Quebec 38.3% 61.7% 15.3%
Ontario 67.0% 33.0% 38.1%
Manitoba 64.1% 35.9% 3.3%
Saskatchewan 63.6% 36.4% 2.8%
Alberta 63.2% 36.8% 12.7%
British Columbia 66.3% 33.7% 12.9%
Yukon 71.4% 28.6% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 63.4% 36.6% 0.1%
Nunavut 67.9% 32.1% 0.1%
Not Applicable 40.7% 59.3% 0.1%
Total 58.6% 41.4% 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

Page details

2025-11-13