In the second quarter of 2025, Canada witnessed a decline in job vacancies, dropping to 505,900, marking the lowest level since 2018. According to the latest Statistics Canada report, the labor market is cooling down, with permanent positions falling by 5.1% and temporary roles by 4.5%.
Despite this overall decline, certain occupations continue to experience strong demand, presenting opportunities for job seekers and immigrants seeking permanent residency in Canada.
Top 10 Occupations With the Most Vacancies in Q2 2025:
- Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses – 19,545 vacancies
- Retail salespersons and merchandisers – 15,745 vacancies
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates – 14,130 vacancies
- Construction trades helpers and laborers – 10,630 vacancies
- Licensed practical nurses – 8,720 vacancies
- Social and community service workers – 9,265 vacancies
- Light duty cleaners – 8,435 vacancies
- Cooks – 13,090 vacancies
- Transport truck drivers – 12,615 vacancies
- Administrative officers – 3,980 vacancies
Although vacancies in these roles have decreased compared to the previous year, they remain highly sought after across Canada.
Fastest-Growing Occupations in 2025:
Some occupations, albeit on a smaller scale, are experiencing significant growth in vacancies:
- Financial advisors (+121%)
- Database analysts and administrators (+63.3%)
- Human resources managers (+52.1%)
- Construction managers (+32.7%)
- Dental assistants (+33.8%)
- Software engineers and designers (+20.5%)
Provinces With Stronger Job Markets:
As of August 2025, Canada’s unemployment rate stood at 7.1%, with Saskatchewan (4.7%) and Manitoba (5.7%) reporting the lowest rates, while Newfoundland and Labrador (10.7%) faced the highest unemployment rate.