Government budget and revenue in Nova Scotia, Canada: official figures
The provincial government of Nova Scotia took in $17.6 billion of revenue in the 2024/25 fiscal year (Statistics Canada government finance statistics, reference year 2024), or $16,287 per resident; 5th lowest of 13 provinces and territories per resident. Revenue was $16.2 billion a year earlier.
How much does the government of Nova Scotia spend?
Expenses of the government of Nova Scotia came to $17.1 billion in 2024/25, $15,806 per resident (4th lowest of 13 provinces and territories), against $16.0 billion in the previous year.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyDoes the government of Nova Scotia have a deficit?
Revenue minus expense left the government of Nova Scotia with a net operating surplus of $520 million in 2024/25, equal to 3.0% of revenue; 4th strongest balance of 13 provinces and territories.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhere does the government of Nova Scotia get its money?
Taxes made up 56.8% of revenue for the government of Nova Scotia in 2024/25 ($10.0 billion), and grants from other levels of government, which include federal transfers, made up 34.6% ($6.1 billion); 7th highest share of 13 provinces and territories for grants.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow much income tax does Nova Scotia collect?
Personal income tax raised $4.7 billion for the government of Nova Scotia in 2024/25 (27.0% of revenue), and taxes on goods and services, including sales and fuel taxes, raised $4.0 billion (22.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow much interest does the government of Nova Scotia pay?
Interest on debt cost the government of Nova Scotia $778 million in 2024/25, 4.6% of its expenses; 4th lowest share of 13 provinces and territories. Social benefits paid directly to people came to $1.5 billion.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the debt of Nova Scotia?
At the end of 2024/25, the government of Nova Scotia had financial assets of $10.7 billion and liabilities of $22.8 billion, a net financial debt of $12.2 billion, or $11,267 per resident; 6th weakest position of 13 provinces and territories per resident.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow much has the government of Nova Scotia borrowed?
Debt securities such as bonds and treasury bills issued by the government of Nova Scotia stood at $17.0 billion at the end of 2024/25, $15,731 per resident, against $16.3 billion a year earlier.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Nova Scotia compares with other provinces
Provincial or territorial government revenue per resident, 2024/25 (2024/25)
Nova Scotia ranks 9 of 13, highest first. Population on 1 July 2024.
| Rank | Region | Provincial or territorial government revenue per resident, 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Prince Edward Island | $17,242 |
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | $17,242 |
| 8 | Alberta | $16,573 |
| 9 | Nova Scotia | $16,287 |
| 10 | New Brunswick | $15,887 |
| 11 | Manitoba | $14,686 |
| 12 | British Columbia | $14,071 |
Provincial or territorial government expense per resident, 2024/25 (2024/25)
Nova Scotia ranks 10 of 13, highest first. Population on 1 July 2024.
| Rank | Region | Provincial or territorial government expense per resident, 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | $17,814 |
| 8 | British Columbia | $16,395 |
| 9 | Manitoba | $15,813 |
| 10 | Nova Scotia | $15,806 |
| 11 | New Brunswick | $15,233 |
| 12 | Alberta | $15,170 |
| 13 | Ontario | $13,822 |
Net operating balance as a share of revenue, 2024/25 (2024/25)
Nova Scotia ranks 4 of 13, highest first. Negative values are deficits.
| Rank | Region | Net operating balance as a share of revenue, 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberta | 8.5% |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | 8.0% |
| 3 | New Brunswick | 4.1% |
| 4 | Nova Scotia | 3.0% |
| 5 | Nunavut | 1.9% |
| 6 | Yukon | 0.9% |
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | -3.3% |
Net financial worth per resident, 2024/25 (negative = net debt) (2024/25)
Nova Scotia ranks 8 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Net financial worth per resident, 2024/25 (negative = net debt) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | British Columbia | $-6,631 |
| 6 | New Brunswick | $-7,444 |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | $-8,460 |
| 8 | Nova Scotia | $-11,267 |
| 9 | Quebec | $-11,915 |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | $-13,032 |
| 11 | Manitoba | $-16,986 |
Interest as a share of government expense, 2024/25 (2024/25)
Nova Scotia ranks 10 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Interest as a share of government expense, 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Saskatchewan | 5.1% |
| 8 | Alberta | 4.9% |
| 9 | British Columbia | 4.6% |
| 10 | Nova Scotia | 4.6% |
| 11 | Northwest Territories | 1.8% |
| 12 | Nunavut | 0.4% |
| 13 | Yukon | 0.4% |
Grants from other levels of government as a share of revenue, 2024/25 (2024/25)
Nova Scotia ranks 7 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Grants from other levels of government as a share of revenue, 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Prince Edward Island | 39.4% |
| 5 | New Brunswick | 37.1% |
| 6 | Manitoba | 36.5% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 34.6% |
| 8 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 25.5% |
| 9 | Quebec | 17.9% |
| 10 | British Columbia | 17.6% |
More on Nova Scotia: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 10-10-0017-01: Canadian government finance statistics for the provincial and territorial governments (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1ced6a105cfe…)
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