Inuit: Fact Sheet for Inuit Nunangat
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
Start of text box
About the data sources
The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) and the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) are the main data sources for this fact sheet. The 2011 NHS collected social and economic data about the Canadian population. The 2012 APS was a national survey of First Nations people living off reserve, Métis, and Inuit aged 6 and older. The data are for the Aboriginal identity population, which refers to people who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, First Nations, Métis or Inuit, and/or those who reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act of Canada, and/or those who reported they were members of an Indian band or First Nation. It was possible to report both single and multiple responses to the Aboriginal identity questions on the NHS and the APS. The NHS data in this fact sheet are based on single responses only. The APS data represent a combination of the single and multiple Aboriginal identity populations. Nearly all off-reserve First Nations, Métis, and Inuit respondents reported a single identity.
End of text box
Aboriginal people account for the majority of the population in Inuit Nunangat
- Numbering 44,995, 3% of the Aboriginal identity population in Canada lived in Inuit NunangatNote 1 in 2011. They made up 86% of the total population in the region.
- Inuit Nunangat was home to 43,455 Inuit, 1,075 First Nations people, and 385 Métis,Note 2 with the rest reporting otherNote 3 Aboriginal identities (25) or more than one Aboriginal identity (55). From 2006 to 2011, the Inuit population in Inuit Nunangat increased by 10%.Note 4
Aboriginal population younger than non-Aboriginal
- Just over half (56%) of Aboriginal people in Inuit Nunangat were under the age of 25, compared with 18% of the non-Aboriginal population. Over half of Inuit (56%) and 47% of First Nations people were in this age group.
- In 2011, the median age of Inuit was 21.7, while that of First Nations people was 27.1. The Aboriginal population was younger than the non-Aboriginal population, whose median age was 38.7.
Two-thirds of Inuit children live with both parents
- In Inuit Nunangat, 64% of Inuit children aged 14 and younger lived in a family with both their parents in 2011, as did 62% of First Nations children. The corresponding percentage for non-Aboriginal children was 85%.
- One-quarter of Inuit children aged 14 and younger (25%), and under one-third of First Nations children (29%), lived in a lone-parent family, rates that were higher than that for their non-Aboriginal peers (12%).
| Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| percent | ||||
| Children of both parentsTable 1 Note 2 | 63.9 | 62.1 | 63.8 | 85.1 |
| Stepchildren | 5.7 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 2.5 |
| Children of lone parent | 25.1 | 29.3 | 25.1 | 12.4 |
| Grandchildren in skip-generation family | 2.3 | 3.4 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
| Foster children | 1.9 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Children living with other relativesTable 1 Note 3 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
|
||||
Inuit most likely to live in crowded homes and homes requiring major repairs
- In 2011, 39% of Inuit in Inuit Nunangat lived in crowded homes, that is, with more than one person per room. Among First Nations, the percentage was 15%. The comparable figure for the non-Aboriginal population was 4%.
- Over one-third of Inuit (36%) and one in five First Nations people (23%) lived in homes in need of major repairs. The corresponding percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 16%.
| Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| percent | ||||
| CrowdingTable 2 Note 2 | 37.9 | 14.8 | 38.7 | 4.2 |
| Home in need of majorTable 2 Note 3 repairs | 35.1 | 22.7 | 35.6 | 15.7 |
|
||||
Majority of Inuit speak an Aboriginal language
- In Inuit Nunangat, 83% of Inuit reported the ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language, a rate higher than among First Nations people (18%). The Aboriginal languages most commonly spoken by Inuit were Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun and Inuinnaqtun. Among First Nations people, they were Gwich’in and Cree languages.Note 5
- The number who reported being able to converse in an Aboriginal language exceeded the number who reported an Aboriginal mother tongue, which suggests acquisition of an Aboriginal language as a second language.
- Based on results of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 94% of Inuit aged 6 and older in Inuit Nunangat reported that speaking and understanding an Aboriginal language was important to them. Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rate dropped to 61%.
Description for Chart 1
The title of the graph is "Chart 1
Ability to converse in an Aboriginal language and Aboriginal language as mother tongue, by selected Aboriginal identity group,Chart 1 Note 1 Inuit Nunangat, 2011."
This is a column clustered chart.
There are in total 3 categories in the horizontal axis. The vertical axis starts at 0 and ends at 90 with ticks every 10 points.
There are 2 series in this graph.
The vertical axis is "percent."
The horizontal axis is "Aboriginal identity groups."
The title of series 1 is "Ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language."
The minimum value is 18.1 and it corresponds to "First Nations single identity."
The maximum value is 83.0 and it corresponds to "Inuit single identity."
The title of series 2 is "Aboriginal language as mother tongue."
The minimum value is 13.5 and it corresponds to "First Nations single identity."
The maximum value is 77.2 and it corresponds to "Inuit single identity."
| Ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language | Aboriginal language as mother tongue | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Aboriginal identity population | 80.9 | 75.1 |
| First Nations single identity | 18.1 | 13.5 |
| Inuit single identity | 83.0 | 77.2 |
|
||
Three in ten Inuit have postsecondary qualifications
- In 2011, 30% of Aboriginal people aged 25 to 64 in Inuit Nunangat had a certificate, diploma or degree from a trade school, college or university: 28% of Inuit and 58% of First Nations people. The comparable percentage for their non-Aboriginal counterparts was 80%.
- Among those with postsecondary credentials, Inuit and First Nations people were more likely than non-Aboriginal graduates to have completed programs below the bachelor’s level (trades or college programs).
- There was also a difference in the proportion of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people with “no certificate, diploma or degree”. In 2011, 58% of Inuit and 24% of First Nations people aged 25 to 64 did not have a certificate, diploma or degree. The corresponding percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 6%.
| Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| percent | ||||
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 56.4 | 24.0 | 57.8 | 5.7 |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 14.1 | 18.0 | 13.9 | 14.3 |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 29.5 | 58.0 | 28.2 | 80.1 |
| Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma | 12.5 | 15.0 | 12.3 | 8.4 |
| College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma | 13.4 | 29.0 | 12.7 | 21.5 |
| University certificate or diploma below bachelor levelTable 3 Note 2 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 4.1 |
| University certificate, diploma or degree at bachelor level or above | 2.3 | 11.0 | 1.8 | 46.0 |
|
||||
Employment rates and median total income increase with education
- In 2011, the employment rates of Inuit and First Nations people aged 25 to 64 in Inuit Nunangat who did not have a certificate, diploma or degree were 46.0% and 48.0% respectively. Employment rates were higher for those with further education. For example, among those with postsecondary credentials, the employment rate of Inuit was 71.7% while that of First Nations people was 79.3%.
| Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| employment rate (percent) | ||||
| Total | 56.9 | 69.0 | 56.2 | 91.8 |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 46.1 | 48.0 | 46.0 | 72.6 |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 66.9 | 61.1 | 66.7 | 90.5 |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 72.5 | 79.3 | 71.7 | 93.4 |
|
||||
- Median total incomeNote 6 was also higher for those with higher education levels. Among Inuit aged 25 to 64, median total income (rounded to the nearest $1,000) ranged from $21,000 for those with no certificate, diploma or degree to $45,000 for those with postsecondary credentials. The range for First Nations people was from $24,000 to $68,000.
Under half rated their health as excellent or very good
- Based on results of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 44% of Inuit aged 12 and older in Inuit Nunangat rated their health as excellent or very good in 2012. Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rate was 58%.
Description for Chart 2
The title of the graph is "Chart 2
Excellent or very good self-rated overall health of Inuit population aged 12 and over, by age group, Inuit Nunangat and outside Inuit Nunangat, 2012."
This is a column clustered chart.
There are in total 2 categories in the horizontal axis. The vertical axis starts at 0 and ends at 80 with ticks every 10 points.
There are 4 series in this graph.
The vertical axis is "percent."
The horizontal axis is "Area of residence."
The title of series 1 is "Total."
The minimum value is 43.5 and it corresponds to "Inuit Nunangat."
The maximum value is 57.6 and it corresponds to "Outside Inuit Nunangat."
The title of series 2 is "12 to 24 years."
The minimum value is 56.8 and it corresponds to "Inuit Nunangat."
The maximum value is 72.1 and it corresponds to "Outside Inuit Nunangat."
The title of series 3 is "25 to 44 years."
The minimum value is 40.9 and it corresponds to "Inuit Nunangat."
The maximum value is 62.6 and it corresponds to "Outside Inuit Nunangat."
The title of series 4 is "45 years and over."
The minimum value is 27.9 and it corresponds to "Inuit Nunangat."
The maximum value is 41.3 and it corresponds to "Outside Inuit Nunangat."
| Total | 12 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 years and over | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inuit Nunangat | 43.5 | 56.8 | 40.9 | 27.9 |
| Outside Inuit Nunangat | 57.6 | 72.1 | 62.6 | 41.3 |
| Source: Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012. | ||||
- Rates of excellent or very good self-reported health varied by age group. The range for the Inuit population in Inuit Nunangat was from 28% for those aged 45 years and over to 57% for those aged 12 to 24 years. Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rates ranged from 41% for those aged 45 years and over to 72% for those aged 12 to 24 years.
- About half of Inuit (48%) aged 18 and older in Inuit Nunangat reported excellent or very good mental health.Note 7 Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rate was 66%.
| Inuit Nunangat | Outside Inuit Nunangat | |
|---|---|---|
| percent | ||
| Total | 47.7 | 65.5 |
| 18 to 24 | 47.2 | 58.3 |
| 25 to 44 | 47.1 | 72.5 |
| 45 and over | 49.0 | 61.8 |
|
Source: Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012. |
||
- Over a third of Inuit (36%) aged 12 and older in Inuit Nunangat reported that they had been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition. Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rate reported was 56%.
- Among Inuit in Inuit Nunangat, commonly reported conditions included arthritis excluding fibromyalgia (9%) and high blood pressure (10%). Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rates were 15%Note E: Use with caution and 14%Note E: Use with caution respectively.
- Asthma was commonly reported by Inuit outside Inuit Nunangat (14%) but less so by those in Inuit Nunangat (5%).
- In Inuit Nunangat, 6% of Inuit reported being diagnosed with a learning disability. Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rate was 11%Note E: Use with caution.
- While 3% of Inuit in Inuit Nunangat reported being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the rate was 10%Note E: Use with caution outside Inuit Nunangat.
Six in ten Inuit smoked daily
- In 2012, 59% of Inuit aged 12 and older in Inuit Nunangat reported that they smoked daily. Smoking rates were lower outside Inuit Nunangat, at 27% for Inuit aged 12 and older.
- Among Inuit in Inuit Nunangat, daily smoking rates ranged from 51% of those aged 12 to 24 to 70% of 25- to 44-year-olds, whereas outside Inuit Nunangat, the rates ranged from 21% for those 45 and older to 31% for 25- to 44-year-olds.
Description for Chart 3
The title of the graph is "Chart 3 Selected health behaviours of Inuit population aged 12 and over, Inuit Nunangat and outside Inuit Nunangat, 2012."
This is a column clustered chart.
There are in total 3 categories in the horizontal axis. The vertical axis starts at 0 and ends at 70 with ticks every 10 points.
There are 2 series in this graph.
The vertical axis is "percent."
The horizontal axis is "Health behaviours."
The title of series 1 is "Inuit Nunangat."
The minimum value is 43.7 and it corresponds to "Heavy drinkingChart 3 Note 1."
The maximum value is 58.5 and it corresponds to "Daily smoking."
The title of series 2 is "Outside Inuit Nunangat."
The minimum value is 22.6 and it corresponds to "Non-drinking."
The maximum value is 30.2 and it corresponds to "Heavy drinkingChart 3 Note 1."
| Inuit Nunangat | Outside Inuit Nunangat | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily smoking | 58.5 | 26.7 |
| Heavy drinkingChart 3 Note 1 | 43.7 | 30.2 |
| Non-drinking | 44.2 | 22.6 |
|
||
- For Inuit aged 12 and older in Inuit Nunangat, the rate of heavy drinking (five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the previous 12 months) was 44%. Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rate was 30%.
- At the same time, 44% of Inuit aged 12 and over in Inuit Nunangat were non-drinkers (consumed no alcohol in the previous 12 months). Outside Inuit Nunangat, the rate was 23%.
| percent | |
|---|---|
| 12 to 24 | |
| Daily smoking | 51.0 |
| Heavy drinkingTable 6 Note 1 | 39.7 |
| Non-drinking | 55.8 |
| 25 to 44 | |
| Daily smoking | 69.6 |
| Heavy drinking | 48.2 |
| Non-drinking | 28.7 |
| 45 and over | |
| Daily smoking | 53.7 |
| Heavy drinking | 39.7 |
| Non-drinking | 49.1 |
|
|
This fact sheet was prepared by Shirley Li and Kristina Smith of the Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division of Statistics Canada.
- Date modified: