Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS)
**UPDATE NOTICE**: The COPS team is currently updating the 2026-2035. Results have been published progressively since October 30th, 2026 and will continue to be released as they become available.
2026 COPS Release Announcement
The 2026 projections show that:
As a starting point, the assessment of recent conditions found 70 occupations showing strong or moderate signs of shortage conditions and 15 showing strong or moderate signs of surplus conditions over the period 2023-2025.
Looking ahead (2026-2035), over 80 occupations are expected to have a moderate or strong risk of facing shortage conditions over the projection period.
- Occupations facing a risk of shortages over the projection period are primarily related to health; skilled trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations; education, law, and social, community and government services; as well as to manufacturing and utilities.
Click here to find a summary of the main results.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) uses COPS and the National Occupational Classification (NOC, 2021 version) to identify occupations that may face labour shortage or labour surplus conditions over the projection period. The latest projections cover the 2024 to 2033 period.
Click on the About the Projections and Glossary sections for important additional information. Please contact us for further enquiries on COPS.
Click on any of the sections below to continue.
Projection Summaries
Use this section to access summaries of projection results by occupation or industry.
Projection Data
Access full datasets, including projections on population, labour force, employment, gross domestic product, job openings and job seekers.
Employment and Social Development Canada makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the COPS projections.