The number of Canadians receiving regular employment insurance (EI) benefits increased by 1.2% to 552,000 in July, continuing the upward trend that began at the start of the year, according to Statistics Canada.
From December 2024 to July 2025, the number of beneficiaries increased by 13.2%.
Variations in the number of EI beneficiaries receiving regular benefits can reflect changes in the circumstances of different groups of people, including new beneficiaries, individuals going back to work, those exhausting their regular benefits and others who no longer receive benefits for various reasons, the statistical agency noted.
In July, the number of EI recipients increased among women aged 25 to 54 (16,000 or 12%). On the flip side, declines were recorded among men aged 25 to 54 (-5,200 or -2.4%), women aged 55 or more (-3,800 or -6.3%) and men aged 15 to 24 (-900 or -2.6%).
Compared with July 2024, the number of recipients increased among all major demographic groups, with the largest proportional increases among women aged 25 to 54 (22.9%) and women aged 55 and older (14.1%).
The increase in the number of beneficiaries in July was proportionally the largest in Manitoba (3.8% or 700), followed by B.C. (3% or 1,600), Quebec (2.2% or 2,800) and Alberta (1.9% or 1,200). In Quebec, the increase was concentrated in the Montreal census metropolitan area, with 2,100 of the 2,800 recipients from the region.
In July, the number of beneficiaries increased the most among those who were last employed in education, law, and social, community and government services (15,000 or 27.6%). This was partially offset by a decline in the number of beneficiaries who last worked in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (-6,300 or -3.6%).
On a year-over-year basis, EI beneficiaries notably increased by 26.4%, or 16,000 individuals, among those who last worked in business, finance and administration.