‘Disappearing Workers’ Coming Back? Labour Force Edges Toward Pre-2024 Levels

New Labour Force Survey results indicate that the sharp contraction observed in 2024 may be easing, as the April and September 2025 labour-force figures move closer to the levels recorded before last year’s decline.

In 2024, the labour force registered one of its steepest drops on record, falling to 166,206 in September after several years of stability around 190,000 to 195,000. The 2025 data, however, show a measurable shift upward. April 2025 recorded 183,368 persons in the labour force, while September 2025 reached 181,863 — both significantly higher than the 2024 figures and more aligned with earlier survey rounds.

The updated results suggest that the forces contributing to last year’s reduction may have been temporary or transitional. Analysts had previously pointed to several factors for examination, including discouraged workers, changes in youth participation following the extension of compulsory schooling, and the longstanding gap in female labour-force participation. These areas remain relevant as possible explanations for the movement of persons in and out of economic activity.

At the same time, the September 2025 unemployment rate fell to 1.9 percent, with 3,421 persons meeting the survey definition of unemployed. This figure is lower than the September 2024 rate of 2.1 percent and remains below levels often associated with full employment. Other indicators continue to shape the overall employment landscape: 64,129 persons were informally employed, representing 35.9 percent of all employed persons, while underemployment affected 2,465 individuals who worked fewer than 35 hours per week but were available for additional work.

More than 130,000 persons were outside the labour force in September 2025, with the largest shares reporting household responsibilities, school attendance, or other conditions that placed them outside active job-seeking. These dynamics influence both participation rates and measured unemployment.

While the 2025 labour-force totals do not yet match the peak levels seen in 2021 through 2023, they represent a notable increase from 2024’s low points. Further analysis will be required to determine whether the upward movement marks a sustained realignment toward historical levels or reflects shorter-term adjustments in participation patterns.