Trends in employment and hourly earnings of mothers of young children, 1997 to 2023

Release date: September 11, 2024
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Infographic: Trends in employment and hourly earnings of mothers of young children, 1997 to 2023
Description: Trends in employment and hourly earnings of mothers of young children, 1997 to 2023

In 2023, 73% of mothers with children aged 5 and under were employed, up from 62% in 1997.

In 2023, most mothers of young children were married or in a common-law relationship.

Table 1 Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1 , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
Partnered 91%
Unpartnered  
Previously married 3%
Never-married 6%

From 1997 to 2023, employment rates increased among partnered and unpartnered mothers.Note 1

Table 2 Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2 , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
  1997 2023
Partnered 65% 74%
Previously married 56% 71%
Never married 41% 61%

Higher levels of education are generally tied to higher rates of employment and earnings. In 2023, partnered mothers were most likely to hold a bachelor’s degree or above.

Table 3 Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3 , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
  Bachelor’s degree or above
Partnered 49%
Previously married 32%
Never married 14%

There was little change in the wage gap between unpartnered and partnered mothers from 1997 to 2023.

Table 4 Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 4 2023 and 1997, calculated using difference (%) with partnered mothers units of measure (appearing as column headers).
  1997 2023
difference (%) with partnered mothers
Previously married 10% 10%
Never-married 26% 23%

Wage gaps shrink after accounting for differences in demographic and employment characteristics of partnered and unpartnered mothers.

Source: Drolet, M. and K. Rauh, 2024, “Closing the gap? Assessing the labour market outcomes of unpartnered mothers in Canada,” 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, 2024

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