The number of Canadians receiving regular employment insurance benefits jumped 13.2 per cent in the first seven months of 2025, reaching 552,000 people in July, according to Statistics Canada data released this morning.
The monthly increase of 6,600 recipients in July represents a 1.2 per cent rise from June, continuing an upward trend that began in January, the federal statistics agency reported. From December 2024 to July 2025, beneficiaries increased by 64,000 people.
Core-aged women drive increase
Women aged 25 to 54 accounted for the largest monthly increase in July, with 16,000 more recipients representing a 12 per cent jump, Statistics Canada said. This demographic also showed the biggest year-over-year growth at 22.9 per cent, adding 28,000 recipients compared to July 2024.
Meanwhile, core-aged men saw a decline of 5,200 recipients in July, a 2.4 per cent drop from the previous month. Women aged 55 and older decreased by 3,800 recipients, and young men aged 15 to 24 fell by 900 recipients.
Four provinces see monthly gains
Manitoba led provincial increases with a 3.8 per cent rise, adding 700 recipients in its fourth consecutive month of growth, according to the data. British Columbia followed with a 3 per cent increase of 1,600 recipients, Quebec added 2,800 recipients for a 2.2 per cent gain, and Alberta saw 1,200 more recipients, up 1.9 per cent.
Quebec’s increase concentrated in the Montreal area, which added 2,100 recipients for a 3.6 per cent jump. The province has added 24,000 recipients since January, a 22.9 per cent cumulative increase.
Year-over-year, Quebec recorded the largest provincial percentage increase at 19.2 per cent, followed by British Columbia at 17.4 per cent, Ontario at 16.2 per cent, and Alberta at 14 per cent, Statistics Canada reported.
Education sector workers file most claims
Recipients who last worked in education, law, and social, community and government services drove July’s increase, adding 15,000 beneficiaries for a 27.6 per cent jump, the agency said. This group also showed the largest year-over-year increase at 30.8 per cent, adding 17,000 recipients.
Workers from trades, transport and equipment operator roles partially offset these gains, declining by 6,300 recipients or 3.6 per cent in July.
Business, finance and administration workers increased by 16,000 recipients year-over-year, a 26.4 per cent jump, while sales and service occupation workers added 12,000 recipients, up 15.3 per cent from July 2024, according to the data.
Statistics Canada noted that changes in employment insurance recipients reflect various factors including new beneficiaries, people returning to work, those exhausting benefits, and individuals no longer receiving benefits for other reasons.
