From August to October 2026, the unemployment rate was 5.6% for Quebec as a whole, according to Statistics Canada (three-month average, data not seasonally adjusted). The lowest rates were in Chaudière-Appalaches (2.3%), Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2.5%) and Lanaudière (2.9%); the highest in Laval (7.9%), Montréal (9.1%) and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (10.1%). In small regions, the figures are less precise: two regions next to each other in the ranking are often not really different. To choose where to look for work, also check the prospects for your occupation region by region.
1. How this ranking works
This ranking compares one thing only: the unemployment rate of each region, from lowest to highest. The unemployment rate is the share of the labour force that is unemployed, meaning without a job, having looked for work in the past four weeks and available to work, according to Statistics Canada's definitions. The table also shows the employment rate, the share of people aged 15 and over who have a job, for information: it is not used for the ranking.
The figures come from Statistics Canada's table 14-10-0462-01, from the Labour Force Survey, released on November 6, 2026. We read it on November 9, 2026. These are data not seasonally adjusted, published as three-month moving averages: the October 2026 figure is the average of August, September and October 2026, according to the method explained by the Institut de la statistique du Québec (in French). Statistics Canada updates this table every month, and we update this ranking every month. We receive no payment for this ranking.
The survey publishes the 17 administrative regions as 16 groups: Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec are combined. For August to October 2026, Statistics Canada does not publish the unemployment rate of this group: the figure is marked x, confidential, in its table. The agency states that in Quebec, it suppresses estimates below 1,500 people. This group is therefore in the table, but without a rank: 15 regions are ranked.
2. The ranking for August to October 2026
For Quebec as a whole, the unemployment rate was 5.6% from August to October 2026, and the employment rate was 60.5%. The standard error, which Statistics Canada publishes for each rate, measures how precise the figure is: the larger it is, the less certain the figure. When two regions have the same rate, they share the same rank.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate | Standard error of the rate | Employment rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaudière-Appalaches | 2.3% | 0.6 pt | 61.3% |
| 2 | Abitibi-Témiscamingue | 2.5% | 0.6 pt | 59.9% |
| 3 | Lanaudière | 2.9% | 0.9 pt | 60.3% |
| 4 | Centre-du-Québec | 3.4% | 0.9 pt | 59.8% |
| 5 | Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean | 3.6% | 0.6 pt | 59.2% |
| 6 | Estrie | 3.7% | 0.6 pt | 58.1% |
| 7 | Bas-Saint-Laurent | 4.3% | 0.8 pt | 51.6% |
| 7 | Mauricie | 4.3% | 0.9 pt | 54.9% |
| 7 | Montérégie | 4.3% | 0.5 pt | 61.9% |
| 10 | Laurentides | 4.5% | 0.9 pt | 59.8% |
| 11 | Capitale-Nationale | 4.7% | 0.6 pt | 62.4% |
| 12 | Outaouais | 6.4% | 0.7 pt | 58.1% |
| 13 | Laval | 7.9% | 0.7 pt | 59.4% |
| 14 | Montréal | 9.1% | 0.6 pt | 62.3% |
| 15 | Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine | 10.1% | 1.1 pt | 45.4% |
| — | Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec | not published | — | 62.1% |
3. How to read the gaps between regions
These figures come from a sample. In a small region, the sample is small, and the figure can change a lot from one month to the next. The Institut de la statistique du Québec points out that, even as a three-month average, estimates for small areas carry a fairly large sampling uncertainty (in French).
Two regions next to each other in the ranking often have rates closer together than their standard error. For example, Chaudière-Appalaches (2.3%, standard error of 0.6 point) and Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2.5%, standard error of 0.6 point) cannot really be told apart. Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine has the largest standard error in the table (1.1 points).
What stands out more clearly is the two ends of the table. Eleven regions have a rate between 2.3% and 4.7%. At the other end, four regions are above the Quebec average of 5.6%: Outaouais (6.4%), Laval (7.9%), Montréal (9.1%) and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (10.1%).
4. Compared with last year
To compare with last year, we use the same table and the same months: August to October 2025 and August to October 2026, two averages not seasonally adjusted. Statistics Canada also publishes the standard error of the year-over-year change. For Quebec as a whole, the rate went from 5.5% to 5.6%.
We only point out a change if it is more than twice its standard error. Only one region meets that test: Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, which went from 5.7% to 10.1% (up 4.4 points, with a standard error of 1.9 points). Montréal (up 1.1 points) and Laval (up 1.0 point) rose, while Abitibi-Témiscamingue (down 1.6 points), Estrie (down 1.5 points) and Lanaudière (down 1.4 points) fell, but these changes stay below two standard errors: part of them may come from the sample.
| Region | Aug.–Oct. 2025 | Aug.–Oct. 2026 | Change | Standard error of the change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All of Quebec | 5.5% | 5.6% | +0.1 pt | 0.3 pt |
| Chaudière-Appalaches | 3.0% | 2.3% | -0.7 pt | 0.8 pt |
| Abitibi-Témiscamingue | 4.1% | 2.5% | -1.6 pt | 1.0 pt |
| Lanaudière | 4.3% | 2.9% | -1.4 pt | 1.4 pt |
| Centre-du-Québec | 3.6% | 3.4% | -0.2 pt | 1.5 pt |
| Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean | 3.9% | 3.6% | -0.3 pt | 0.9 pt |
| Estrie | 5.2% | 3.7% | -1.5 pt | 0.8 pt |
| Bas-Saint-Laurent | 4.2% | 4.3% | +0.1 pt | 1.3 pt |
| Mauricie | 4.3% | 4.3% | 0.0 pt | 1.3 pt |
| Montérégie | 4.4% | 4.3% | -0.1 pt | 0.7 pt |
| Laurentides | 3.9% | 4.5% | +0.6 pt | 1.2 pt |
| Capitale-Nationale | 4.1% | 4.7% | +0.6 pt | 0.7 pt |
| Outaouais | 7.6% | 6.4% | -1.2 pt | 0.9 pt |
| Laval | 6.9% | 7.9% | +1.0 pt | 0.9 pt |
| Montréal | 8.0% | 9.1% | +1.1 pt | 0.8 pt |
| Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine | 5.7% | 10.1% | +4.4 pt | 1.9 pt |
5. The employment rate, another angle
The employment rate tells a different story. It counts everyone aged 15 and over, including people who are not looking for work, such as retirees or students. A region can therefore have little unemployment and a low employment rate.
From August to October 2026, the lowest employment rates were in Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (45.4%), Bas-Saint-Laurent (51.6%) and Mauricie (54.9%); the highest in Capitale-Nationale (62.4%), Montréal (62.3%) and the Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec group (62.1%). Montréal therefore has both the second-highest unemployment rate and one of the highest employment rates.
6. Using this ranking to look for a job
A region's unemployment rate tells you whether its job market is tight in general, across all occupations. It does not tell you whether there are jobs in your occupation. Before moving for a job, look at your occupation region by region.
On Québec.ca, the Exploring Trades and Occupations section gives, for each occupation, the job prospects and the wage, and lets you compare two regions.
Job offers are on Québec Emploi, the Quebec government's free job-offer website, where you can search by region.
For free in-person help (resume, interviews, network), see our guides for Montréal, Laval, Québec City and Gatineau.
7. Your action list
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8. Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the unemployment rate in Quebec's regions.
Why does the Institut de la statistique du Québec give different figures?
Because the Institut de la statistique du Québec publishes seasonally adjusted rates, while our figures are not. On the Institut's page, for August to October 2026, the three lowest rates are also those of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Chaudière-Appalaches (2.4% each) and Lanaudière (3.1%), and the three highest those of Laval (7.9%), Montréal (8.9%) and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (12.1%).
Why do Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec have no rank?
These two regions are published together. For August to October 2026, Statistics Canada's table marks their unemployment rate with an x: the figure is confidential and is not published. Their employment rate is published: 62.1%.
Who is counted as unemployed?
A person without a job who looked for work in the past four weeks and was available to work. People on layoff and people who are due to start a new job in four weeks or less are also counted. A person who is not looking for work is not unemployed: they are not part of the labour force.
How often is this ranking updated?
Statistics Canada updates this table every month. We check it every month and change the tables and dates in this guide when new figures are published. Each new month replaces the oldest of the three months in the average, so the ranking changes slowly.
9. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Free job-search help in Montréal — where to find free help with your resume, interviews and network.
- Finding a Quebec job from abroad — the official channels if you are looking before you arrive.
- Employment Insurance in Quebec — financial help while you look for work.
- Recognizing your foreign diplomas — so you can apply in your field, whatever the region.
10. Official sources
Author's note: A low unemployment rate does not guarantee a job, and a high rate does not mean there is nothing for you. Montréal has the second-highest unemployment rate, but also one of the highest employment rates. Start with your occupation, then look at the region.
