Behind the Numbers: June 2026 – Labour Market Trends
Behind the Numbers is a monthly series from the Durham Workforce Authority that breaks down the latest labour market data and what it means for Durham Region. This blog is informed by the June 2026 Employment by Industry Report and Labour Force Survey Report, which can be found here.
June 2026 marked another month of steady labour market growth across Durham Region. Employment reached a new high, the employment rate continued to climb, and participation in the labour force increased as more residents entered the workforce. While the unemployment rate remained unchanged from May, the combination of growing employment and a larger labour force reflects a regional economy that continues to expand alongside rapid population growth. This month’s data also highlights continued strength in several key industries that are helping drive Durham’s economy forward.
Key Highlights
- Employment increased to 261,200, up 3,700 from May and 21,200 compared to June 2025.
- The employment rate increased to 63.5%, up 0.7 percentage points from May and 3.5 percentage points higher than one year ago.
- The labour force grew by 3,900 people over the month to 285,400 residents.
- The unemployment rate remained steady at 8.5%, while the number of unemployed residents increased slightly by 200.
- Manufacturing added 5,300 jobs year-over-year, while Health Care & Social Assistance gained 4,700 jobs.
- Transportation & Warehousing increased by 3,700 jobs, with continued growth in Construction and Other Services.
What’s Happening in the Labour Market
June’s labour market continued the positive momentum seen throughout much of 2026. Employment rose by 3,700 positions during the month, reaching 261,200 employed residents—the highest level recorded in more than two years. The labour force also expanded by 3,900 people while population increased by another 1,000 residents, reflecting Durham Region’s continued growth.
Although the number of unemployed residents increased modestly by 200 people, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.5%. This stability occurred because employment growth largely kept pace with the increase in labour force participation. As more people entered or re-entered the workforce, the regional economy continued creating enough employment opportunities to maintain the unemployment rate.
Perhaps the strongest indicator of June’s performance was the continued increase in the employment rate, which climbed to 63.5%. This means a larger share of Durham’s working-age population is employed than at any point over the past year, continuing a steady upward trend that began in mid-2025.
Taken together, these indicators point to a labour market that continues to grow while successfully absorbing an expanding workforce.
A Closer Look at What’s Driving Change
Industry-level employment data shows that growth continues to be concentrated in several key sectors that support Durham Region’s long-term economic development.
Manufacturing remained one of the region’s strongest-performing industries, adding 5,300 jobs compared to June 2025. Health Care & Social Assistance followed closely with an increase of 4,700 jobs, while Transportation & Warehousing added 3,700 positions. Construction continued its steady expansion with 2,200 additional jobs, and Other Services grew by 2,600 positions over the past year.
These industries continue to benefit from ongoing population growth, infrastructure investment, increased demand for health services, and expanding supply chain activity throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Not every industry experienced growth. Professional, Scientific & Technical Services declined by 1,900 jobs compared to one year ago, while Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental & Leasing decreased by 1,600 positions. These sectors have shown some softness in recent months, suggesting that knowledge-based and financial industries continue to face a more challenging business environment than many goods-producing and essential service sectors.
The data continues to demonstrate that Durham’s strongest employment growth is occurring in industries tied to population growth, essential services, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
Looking Beyond the Month-to-Month Changes
The broader trend remains one of sustained labour market expansion.
Compared to June 2025, employment has increased by 21,200 positions while the unemployment rate is 0.7 percentage points lower than one year ago. The employment rate has improved from 60.0% to 63.5%, and the participation rate has risen from 66.1% to 69.4%.
Durham’s population has also continued its rapid growth, reaching 411,300 residents in June—an increase of 11,300 people over the previous year and nearly 45,000 over the past two years. This sustained population growth continues to expand both the available labour force and demand for goods and services across the region.
One particularly encouraging trend is the decline in the number of residents who are not participating in the labour force. Compared to June 2025, there are 9,700 fewer people outside the labour force, suggesting that more residents are choosing to work or actively seek employment.
These long-term trends point to a labour market that continues to become larger, more active, and increasingly engaged.
What This Means for Employers and Jobseekers
For employers:
Continued employment growth in manufacturing, health care, transportation, construction, and other essential industries means competition for skilled workers is likely to remain strong. Employers may need to continue investing in recruitment, retention, training, and workforce development strategies to meet ongoing labour demands.
For jobseekers:
The data continues to show strong opportunities in sectors experiencing sustained employment growth, particularly manufacturing, health care, skilled trades, transportation, and logistics. At the same time, rising labour force participation means jobseekers should expect continued competition for available positions, making relevant skills, credentials, and work experience increasingly valuable.
As Durham’s economy continues to expand, aligning skills with sectors experiencing sustained growth will remain one of the most effective ways to improve employment outcomes.
Looking Ahead
June’s results reinforce a trend that has become increasingly evident throughout 2026: Durham Region continues to experience steady employment growth while successfully integrating a growing population into the workforce.
Population growth will continue to influence labour market conditions over the coming months, creating both opportunities and challenges for employers, educators, workforce organizations, and jobseekers alike. Continued investment in skills development, training pathways, and workforce planning will remain essential to ensuring that Durham’s labour market can meet the needs of both employers and residents.
Monitoring labour force participation alongside industry-specific employment trends will continue to provide valuable insight into where new opportunities are emerging and where workforce shortages may become more pronounced.
The Durham Workforce Authority will continue to monitor these trends and provide timely labour market insights to support informed workforce planning and economic development across Durham Region.