Economy, jobs and prices in Northwest Territories, Canada: official figures
The economy of the Northwest Territories (gross domestic product at market prices) was worth $5.1 billion in 2024, 0.2% of Canada's $3.11 trillion; 2nd smallest of 13 provinces and territories. In current prices it was down 4.2% on 2023.
How fast is the economy of the Northwest Territories growing?
After adjusting for inflation (chained 2017 dollars), real GDP in the Northwest Territories shrank 0.8% in 2024, against 2.0% for Canada; 2nd slowest-growing of 13 provinces and territories. Over the ten years since 2014 it changed by -6.5%.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyDid the economy of the Northwest Territories grow in 2025?
Real GDP at basic prices in the Northwest Territories, from the industry accounts, shrank 2.0% in 2025; the slowest-growing of 13 provinces and territories.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of the Northwest Territories?
Dividing 2024 GDP by the population on 1 July 2024 (45,274) gives $113,155 of output per resident, against $75,519 for Canada; 2nd highest of 13 provinces and territories.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow much do households in the Northwest Territories spend?
Household spending in the Northwest Territories came to $47,621 per resident in 2024 (Canada: $40,837); the highest of 13 provinces and territories. Final consumption spending by governments was equal to 68.4% of GDP (the highest share of 13 provinces and territories; Canada: 21.4%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow much does the Northwest Territories export?
Exports of goods and services to other countries from the Northwest Territories were worth $1.6 billion in 2024, equal to 31.2% of its GDP; 7th highest share of 13 provinces and territories. Exports to other provinces and territories came to $1.0 billion.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat are the main industries in the Northwest Territories?
In 2022, the largest industry in the Northwest Territories' economy was mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (26.1% of GDP at basic prices), followed by public administration (19.9%) and real estate and rental and leasing (9.9%). The public sector as a whole accounted for 33.3%.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow important are mining, oil and manufacturing in the Northwest Territories?
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction made up 26.1% of GDP in the Northwest Territories in 2022 (5th highest of 13 provinces and territories), and manufacturing 0.3% (the lowest of 13 provinces and territories).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in the Northwest Territories?
The unemployment rate in the Northwest Territories was 5.8% in the three months to September 2026 (seasonally adjusted moving average), against 6.2% a year earlier and 5.3% two years earlier; 2nd highest of 3 territories. The rate for the ten provinces combined was 6.5% in September 2026.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many people are employed in the Northwest Territories?
About 24,100 people in the Northwest Territories were employed and 1,500 unemployed in the three months to September 2026, out of a labour force of 25,700; employment was up 6.6% on a year earlier.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the average weekly wage in the Northwest Territories?
Employees in the Northwest Territories earned an average of $1,821.38 a week including overtime in July 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), up 4.8% on a year earlier; 2nd highest of 13 provinces and territories. The Canadian average was $1,347.14 (up 3.2%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many payroll jobs are there in the Northwest Territories?
Employers in the Northwest Territories had 26,934 employees on their payrolls in July 2026, down 0.2% on a year earlier; the slowest growth of 13 provinces and territories (Canada: up 1.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the median household income in the Northwest Territories?
The median total income of economic families and people living alone or with non-relatives in the Northwest Territories was $133,300 in 2024, against $86,000 for Canada; the highest of 13 provinces and territories. In constant 2024 dollars it was up 8.9% on 2023.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the median after-tax income in the Northwest Territories?
After income tax, the median income of families and unattached individuals in the Northwest Territories was $116,100 in 2024 (Canada: $75,500); the highest of 13 provinces and territories.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the median family income in the Northwest Territories?
Economic families of two or more people in the Northwest Territories had a median total income of $198,500 in 2024 (Canada: $125,600); the highest of 13 provinces and territories.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the average income in the Northwest Territories?
Average total income of families and unattached individuals in the Northwest Territories was $158,500 in 2024, 18.9% above the median (Canada: average $115,000, 33.7% above the median).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in the Northwest Territories?
Consumer prices in Yellowknife (the Northwest Territories' capital) were up 4.7% in the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.1% for Canada and 1.9% in the 12 months to September 2025; 6th highest of 13 provinces and territories (territories are measured by their capital city).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow much have prices risen in the Northwest Territories?
Averaged over 2025, the Consumer Price Index for Yellowknife rose 2.3% (Canada: 2.1%); 4th highest of 13 provinces and territories. Between 2015 and 2025 prices rose 25.4% in total (Canada: 29.7%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow fast are food and housing costs rising in the Northwest Territories?
In the 12 months to September 2026, food prices in Yellowknife were up 2.5% (Canada: up 2.2%) and shelter costs, which include rent, mortgage interest and utilities, were up 6.2% (Canada: up 1.8%); shelter inflation was 4th highest of 12 provinces and territories.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyAre transportation costs rising in the Northwest Territories?
Transportation prices, including vehicles, fuel and public transit, were up 9.0% in Yellowknife in the 12 months to September 2026 (Canada: up 8.4%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow much did housing costs rise in the Northwest Territories in 2025?
Averaged over 2025, shelter costs in Yellowknife rose 4.1% (Canada: 3.0%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Northwest Territories compares with other territories
Gross domestic product, 2024 (current prices) (2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 12 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2024 (current prices) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Nova Scotia | $65.3 billion |
| 8 | New Brunswick | $48.3 billion |
| 9 | Newfoundland and Labrador | $42.2 billion |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | $10.9 billion |
| 11 | Nunavut | $5.7 billion |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | $5.1 billion |
| 13 | Yukon | $4.3 billion |
GDP per resident, 2024 (GDP / population on 1 July) (2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2024 (GDP / population on 1 July) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nunavut | $136,763 |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | $113,155 |
| 3 | Alberta | $96,686 |
| 4 | Yukon | $91,207 |
| 5 | Saskatchewan | $90,619 |
| 6 | Newfoundland and Labrador | $77,455 |
| 7 | British Columbia | $75,821 |
Real GDP growth, 2024 (chained 2017 dollars) (2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 12 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2024 (chained 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2.7% |
| 8 | Quebec | 1.7% |
| 9 | Manitoba | 1.7% |
| 10 | Ontario | 1.6% |
| 11 | British Columbia | 1.1% |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | -0.8% |
| 13 | Yukon | -2.5% |
Real GDP growth at basic prices, 2025 (2025)
Northwest Territories ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth at basic prices, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | New Brunswick | 2.0% |
| 8 | Manitoba | 1.3% |
| 9 | Ontario | 1.3% |
| 10 | Yukon | 0.6% |
| 11 | Quebec | 0.6% |
| 12 | Nunavut | 0.1% |
| 13 | Northwest Territories | -2.0% |
Unemployment rate, territories, three months to September 2026 (September 2026)
Northwest Territories ranks 2 of 3, highest first. Three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, territories, three months to September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nunavut | 11.0% |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | 5.8% |
| 3 | Yukon | 4.6% |
Average weekly earnings, July 2026 (all employees, seasonally adjusted) (July 2026)
Northwest Territories ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average weekly earnings, July 2026 (all employees, seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nunavut | $1,844.70 |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | $1,821.38 |
| 3 | Yukon | $1,504.26 |
| 4 | Alberta | $1,399.61 |
| 5 | Ontario | $1,391.19 |
| 6 | British Columbia | $1,356.78 |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | $1,325.24 |
Change in payroll employment, 12 months to July 2026 (July 2026)
Northwest Territories ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Change in payroll employment, 12 months to July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 1.1% |
| 8 | British Columbia | 1.1% |
| 9 | Nova Scotia | 0.9% |
| 10 | Ontario | 0.9% |
| 11 | Prince Edward Island | 0.5% |
| 12 | Quebec | 0.4% |
| 13 | Northwest Territories | -0.2% |
Median total income, economic families and persons not in an economic family, 2024 (2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 1 of 13, highest first. In 2024 constant dollars.
| Rank | Region | Median total income, economic families and persons not in an economic family, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Territories | $133,300 |
| 2 | Nunavut | $126,600 |
| 3 | Yukon | $100,200 |
| 4 | Alberta | $96,600 |
| 5 | Ontario | $90,200 |
| 6 | British Columbia | $85,700 |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | $85,600 |
Median after-tax income, economic families and persons not in an economic family, 2024 (2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 1 of 13, highest first. In 2024 constant dollars.
| Rank | Region | Median after-tax income, economic families and persons not in an economic family, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Territories | $116,100 |
| 2 | Nunavut | $109,600 |
| 3 | Yukon | $89,300 |
| 4 | Alberta | $85,300 |
| 5 | Ontario | $79,500 |
| 6 | British Columbia | $75,800 |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | $75,500 |
Median total income of economic families (two or more people), 2024 (2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 1 of 13, highest first. In 2024 constant dollars.
| Rank | Region | Median total income of economic families (two or more people), 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Territories | $198,500 |
| 2 | Nunavut | $150,400 |
| 3 | Yukon | $143,900 |
| 4 | Alberta | $132,700 |
| 5 | Ontario | $130,700 |
| 6 | British Columbia | $128,400 |
| 7 | Quebec | $120,800 |
Consumer price inflation, 12 months to September 2026 (September 2026)
Northwest Territories ranks 6 of 13, highest first. Territories: the capital city index (Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Iqaluit).
| Rank | Region | Consumer price inflation, 12 months to September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Nova Scotia | 5.6% |
| 4 | New Brunswick | 5.0% |
| 5 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 4.7% |
| 6 | Northwest Territories | 4.7% |
| 7 | Manitoba | 4.4% |
| 8 | Alberta | 3.6% |
| 9 | Saskatchewan | 3.3% |
Consumer price inflation, 2025 annual average (2025)
Northwest Territories ranks 4 of 13, highest first. Territories: the capital city index (Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Iqaluit).
| Rank | Region | Consumer price inflation, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yukon | 3.2% |
| 2 | Manitoba | 2.7% |
| 3 | Quebec | 2.4% |
| 4 | Northwest Territories | 2.3% |
| 5 | British Columbia | 2.1% |
| 6 | Saskatchewan | 2.1% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 2.1% |
Shelter price inflation, 12 months to September 2026 (September 2026)
Northwest Territories ranks 4 of 12, highest first. Territories: the capital city index (Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Iqaluit).
| Rank | Region | Shelter price inflation, 12 months to September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nova Scotia | 7.8% |
| 2 | Prince Edward Island | 7.4% |
| 3 | Yukon | 6.8% |
| 4 | Northwest Territories | 6.2% |
| 5 | New Brunswick | 5.4% |
| 6 | Manitoba | 4.6% |
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 4.5% |
More on Northwest Territories: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 11-10-0190-01: Market income, government transfers, total income, income tax and after-tax income by economic family type (Canadian Income Survey; Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d77937164295…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 18-10-0004-01: Consumer Price Index, monthly, not seasonally adjusted (Web Data Service extract: all-items, food, shelter, transportation), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a99a4ffcbbea…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 18-10-0005-01: Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5e17cf9acf05…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 36-10-0222-01: Gross domestic product, expenditure-based, provincial and territorial, annual (x 1,000,000), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 438e0832790b…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 36-10-0711-01: Gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices, by industry, provinces and territories (Web Data Service extract: all industries and sectors), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c16d19ffb999…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 14-10-0292-01: Labour force characteristics by territory, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5d029d577723…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 14-10-0223-01: Employment and average weekly earnings (including overtime) for all employees by province and territory, monthly, seasonally adjusted (Web Data Service extract: industrial aggregate excluding unclassified businesses), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fd47541913f5…)
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