Canadian-born Black populations: Educational attainment and earnings

Release date: August 22, 2023
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Infographic: Canadian-born Black populations: Educational attainment and earnings
Description: Canadian-born Black populations: Educational attainment and earnings

The Black population in Canada is diverse

In 2021, Black people in Canada reported more than 300 ethnic or cultural origins. The data presented here relate to three Canadian-born Black populations:

  • African origin: at least one African-born parent
  • Caribbean origin: at least one Caribbean-born parent
  • Canadian origin: both parents born in Canada.

In 2021, educational attainment was highest among the African-origin Canadian-born Black population and lowest among the Canadian-origin Black population


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Population group (appearing as row headers), Proportion with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 2021 (appearing as column headers).
Population group Proportion with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 2021
Black—African origin 46%
Black—Caribbean origin 27%
Black—Canadian origin 16%
Non-racialized, non-Indigenous—parents born in Canada 27%

Earnings were lower for most Canadian-born Black people, except African-origin Black women


Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2. The information is grouped by Population group (appearing as row headers), Age-adjusted earnings gap between Black population and non-racialized, non-Indigenous population with parents born in Canada, by gender, 2021, calculated using Women+ and Men+ units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Population group Age-adjusted earnings gap between Black population and non-racialized, non-Indigenous population with parents born in Canada, by gender,Table 2 Note 1 2021
Women+ Men+
Black—African origin $3,055 -$8,501
Black—Caribbean origin -$1,288 -$13,827
Black—Canadian origin -$9,515 -$16,287
Note 1

The “Women+” category includes women, as well as some non-binary persons, while the “Men+” category includes men, as well as some non-binary persons.

Return to note 1 referrer

Some factors associated with earnings gaps between the Black populations and non-racialized, non-Indigenous population with parents born in Canada

  • Differences in educational attainment
  • Lower-skilled jobs relative to education
  • Working in part-time or part-year jobs

Earnings gaps remained for all three Canadian-born Black populations even after accounting for differences in education, occupational status and other factors


Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3 Unexplained difference in earnings compared with non-racialized, non-Indigenous people with parents born in Canada (appearing as column headers).
Unexplained difference in earnings compared with non-racialized, non-Indigenous people with parents born in Canada
Canadian-born Black women -$2,900 to -$4,100
Canadian-born Black men -$6,500 to -$8,300
Source: Wall, K. and S. Wood, 2023, “Education and earnings of Canadian-born Black populations,” Insights on Canadian Society, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-006-X.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2023

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