Key Facts

Nova Scotia statistics

Languages Spoken (2006 Census):

• English: 832,105
• French: 32,540
• Non-official languages: 36,345

Immigrant Status Foreign Born Population (2006): 

• 45,195 (4.8% of total population)

Taxes/Incentives:  

• 15% fully refundable R&D Credit
• Small Business Tax Reduction
• No Payroll Tax 
• New Business Tax Holiday
• 15% Harmonized Sales Tax
• Energy Rebate Program
• First-Time Home Buyers HST Rebate
• Foreign Conventions and Tour Package

Key Sectors 2006, percentage of total employment: 

• Community, Business & Personal Services 21.3%
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Renting & Leasing 7.0%
• Trade 17.5%
• Public Administration 26.8%
• Manufacturing 12.7%
• Resource Industries 3.3%
• Construction 6.4%
• Transportation and warehousing 5.1%

Business Statistics in Millions (year-to-date): 

• Retail: $10,867 (October 2011)
• Wholesale: $6,502 (October 2011)
• Construction (Building Permits): $1194 (October 2011)
• Imports: $7,284 (October 2011)
• Exports(Domestic): $3,866 (October 2011)
• Exports (Foreign): $3,920 (October 2011)
• Culture (Total Employment): 31,700 (2008 Annual)
• Tourism (Tourism Receipts in Billions): $1.82 (2008 Annual)

Social Statistics: 

• Health: 50 hospitals (2011)
• Education: 128,131 Elementary and Secondary School Enrolment (2010/11)
• Justice: 1,110 Police and RCMP Officers per 100,000 population

Read more about our cost competitiveness.