Same-sex couples and sexual orientation… by the numbers

2014

Here are selected data on assorted topics related to same-sex couples and sexual orientation.

(Last updated: June 20, 2014)

Same-sex couples across Canada

As same-sex marriages were legalized in Canada in 2005, census data on legally married and same‑sex couples are available for 2006 and 2011 only.

According to the census, the number of same-sex married couples nearly tripled between 2006 and 2011, while the number of same-sex common-law couples rose 15.0%.

As a result, married couples represented about 3 in 10 same-sex couples in 2011, nearly twice the share of 16.5% in 2006.

  • 64,575 — The number of same-sex couple families in 2011, up 42.4% from 2006.
  • 21,015 — The number of same-sex married couples.
  • 43,560 — The number of same-sex common-law couples.
  • 0.8% — The proportion of all couples in 2011 who were same-sex couples.
  • 54.5% — The proportion of same-sex couples who were male.
  • 45.5% — The proportion of same-sex couples who were female.
  • 25.3% — The proportion of same-sex married spouses and common-law partners aged 15 to 34.
  • 17.5% — The proportion of opposite-sex married spouses and common-law partners aged 15 to 34.
  • 6.2% — The proportion of same-sex married spouses and common-law partners aged 65 and over.
  • 17.8% — The proportion of opposite-sex married spouses and common-law partners aged 65 and over.
  • 45.6% — The proportion of all same-sex couples in Canada living in Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver.
  • 33.4% — The proportion of all opposite-sex couples in Canada living in Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver.

Sources: “2011 Census of Population: Families, households, marital status, structural type of dwelling, collectives,” The Daily, Wednesday, September 19, 2012; 2011 Census, Portrait of Families and Living Arrangements in Canada.

Source data: Conjugal Status and Opposite/Same-sex Status, Sex and Age Groups for Persons Living in Couples in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories and Census Metropolitan Areas, 2011 Census.

Same-sex parents

Beginning in 2001, children living with two parents could be distinguished as living with either opposite-sex or same-sex parents in the census.

  • 7,700 — The number of children aged 24 and under living with female same‑sex parents in 2011.
  • 1,900 — The number of children aged 24 and under living with male same‑sex parents in 2011.

Source: “Enduring diversity: Living arrangements of children in Canada over 100 years of the census,” Demographic Documents, released Tuesday, April 29, 2014.

Source data: Conjugal Status, Opposite/Same-sex Status and Presence of Children for the Couple Census Families in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories and Census Metropolitan Areas, 2011 Census.

Sexual orientation

The Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.1, was the first Statistics Canada survey to include a question on sexual orientation.

  • 1.3% — The percentage of Canadians aged 18 to 59 who reported in 2012 that they consider themselves to be homosexual (gay or lesbian).
  • 1.1% — The percentage of Canadians aged 18 to 59 who reported in 2012 that they consider themselves to be bisexual.

Several concepts can be used to measure sexual orientation. These include behaviour, that is, whether a person's partner or partners are of the same or the opposite sex, and identity, that is, whether a person considers himself or herself to be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.

The CCHS uses the concept of identity. Data from other countries suggest that the number of people who consider themselves to be homosexual is much smaller than the number who report having had sexual relations with someone of the same sex. However, people are more willing to answer questions about identity than about behaviour.

Sources: Canadian Community Health Survey; “Canadian Community Health Survey,” The Daily, Tuesday, June 15, 2004.

  • 1% — The proportion of Canadians aged 18 years and over who identified themselves as homosexual (gay or lesbian) in the 2009 General Social Survey on Victimization.
  • 1% — The proportion of Canadians aged 18 years and over who identified themselves as bisexual in the 2009 General Social Survey on Victimization.

Source: General Social Survey on Victimization.

Health

  • More likely — The probability that gay men, when compared with heterosexual men, would have consulted a medical specialist or mental health service provider.
  • More likely — The probability that lesbians, when compared with heterosexual women, would consult a mental health service provider.

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012.

See also: “Study: Health care use among gay, lesbian and bisexual Canadians,” The Daily, Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

Physically active

  • 38.3% — The proportion of homosexuals and bisexuals who reported that they were physically active in 2012, compared with 28.1% of heterosexuals.
  • 32.2% — The proportion of homosexuals and bisexuals who reported that they found life stressful in 2012, compared with 26% of heterosexuals.

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012.

Questions evolve

Times change… and so do the questions asked by Canada’s national statistical agency.

  • The 2001 Census was the first census in Canada to provide data on same-sex common-law couples.
  • The 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 2.1) was the first Statistics Canada survey to include a question on sexual orientation.
  • The 2006 Census was the first census in Canada to provide data on same‑sex married couples, following the legalization of same‑sex marriage across Canada in 2005.
  • The 2011 Census also provides data on same‑sex couples, both married and common‑law.

Statistics Canada goes to great lengths in assuring that its questions—including those questions related to sexual orientation—are relevant and feasible.

In testing questions targeted to specialized populations, Statistics Canada found that the positive rapport between the agency and with various groups and individuals, coupled with assurances of anonymity, contribute to respondents feeling very comfortable with the interviewing arrangements.

This trust has led to a situation where respondents are willing to reveal personal details about their lives, and to answer questions honestly.

The consultations on questions with specialized populations also provided many useful insights into the issues being investigated.

Sources: Census of Population; National Household Survey; “Experiences in testing questionnaires with specialized populations,” Statistics Canada International Symposium Series: Proceedings.

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See features on many other subjects in By the numbers.