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Social fact sheet

Table 1  Estimates of population by sex, for July 1, Canada, select years

• In 1981 Canada’s population was approximately 25 million. In 2009, the population was estimated to be almost 34 million. In recent years, much of the population growth has been a result of international migration.

• The population of Canada continues to age. In 2009, the median age for the Canadian population was 39.5 years. The median age of women was 40.5 compared to 38.6 for men. Fertility rates persistently below the generation replacement level and an increasing life expectancy are the main factors explaining the ageing process of the Canadian population.

Table 2  Life expectancy at birth and at age 65, by sex, Canada, select years

• Life expectancy in Canada continues to increase. Life expectancy at birth was 81 years in 2006, compared with 76 years in 1981. A girl born in 2006 can expect to live 83 years; a boy can expect to live 78 years.

• The difference in life expectancy for men and women is decreasing. In 1981 there was a difference in life expectancy of 7.2 years for women and men. By 2006 this difference had shrunk to 4.6 years.

• Life expectancy at age 65 is also increasing for Canadians. For someone who was 65 in 1981, they could expect to live another 17 years compared to 20 years for someone who was 65 in 2006.

• Between 1981 and 2006, the increase in life expectancy for men at age 65 was impressive. For example, in 1981 a male aged 65 could expect to live another 14.7 years compared with a female who could expect to live another 19.2 years.  By 2006, a 65 year old man could expect to live another 18.2 years compared to 21.4 years for a 65 year old woman.

Table 3  Indicators of well-being, by sex, Canada, select years

• More than 9 out of 10 women and men stated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their life in general in 2008.

• Men and women were equally likely to feel stress. For example, in 2008 a little more than 1 in 5 men and women stated that they had quite a lot of life stress.

• Research has shown that having a strong sense of belonging to one's community is highly correlated with physical and mental well-being. Between 2003 and 2008, about 65% of Canadians stated that they had a somewhat strong or very strong sense of belonging to their community.  

Table 4  Health indicators, by sex, Canada, select years

• While women and men were equally likely to state that their health was very good or excellent in 2008, women were slightly more likely than men to state they have a participation or activity limitation (30% vs. 28%).

• The incidence of high blood pressure increased between 2003 and 2008 from about 14% to just over 16%. The increase occurred among both men and women and by 2008 about 16% of men and 17% of women had high blood pressure.

• Women were more likely to have arthritis or asthma than men. In 2008, close to 10% of women compared to 7% of men had asthma. The proportion of women with arthritis was about 19% compared to 12% of men.

Chart 1  Religious attendance rates, by sex, 1985 to 2008

• Women were more likely to attend a religious service at least once a month over the 1985 to 2008 period than were men. However, by 2008 the difference between monthly attendance rates for men and women had declined.        

Table 5  Highest level of educational attainment for the population aged 25 to 64, by sex, 2001 and 2006

• Six out of every 10 adults aged between 25 and 64 had completed some form of postsecondary education in 2006, according to the census. Men and women were equally likely to have some type of postsecondary education.

• Just under one-quarter (24%) of adults aged 25 to 64 had a high school diploma as their highest level of educational attainment, while 15% had less than a high school education.

• The proportion of men and women who had a university certificate, diploma or degree at the bachelor’s level or above increased between 2001 and 2006. For example, in 2001, 19.2% of women and 20.2% of men had a bachelor’s degree or higher. By 2006, 23.3% of women and 22.6% of men had a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

Chart 2   Among university graduates, women continue to outnumber men

• The number of students graduating from Canadian universities rose 43% between 1992 and 2007, increasing from 169,000 in 1992 to 242,000 in 2007. The number of both male and female graduates has grown steadily since 2002, following a period of stagnant growth in the mid-1990s.

• In 2007, women made up almost 61% of all university graduates up from 56% in 1992.

Chart 3   Women now make up nearly 60% of all university graduates in the physical and life sciences

• Women have increased their share of university graduates such that in 2007, they accounted for more than 60% of graduates in all fields, except for three: architecture and engineering; mathematics and computer sciences; and personal, protective and transportation services.

• Women increased their share of graduates from less than 50% in 1992 to over 50% in 2007 in two fields—physical and life sciences; and agriculture, natural resources and conservation.