Women in Canada

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Available online today are five chapters of the publication Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report, which explores the socio-demographic and economic circumstances of several groups of Canadian women.

These chapters provide a comprehensive statistical portrait of the female population in general, senior women, immigrant women, women who are members of a visible minority, and Aboriginal women.

The chapter on the "Female population" introduces the socio-demographic and ethno-cultural characteristics of women and girls in Canada. In 2010, 17.2 million females accounted for 50.4% of the total population, continuing a slim female majority that has held for over three decades.

The "Senior women" chapter examines the socio-demographic characteristics of women aged 65 and over, including life-expectancy, diversity, family and living arrangements, health and well-being, labour force participation and income. As of July 1, 2010, Canada had 4.8 million seniors, of whom 56% or 2.7 million were women. They accounted for 16% of the total female population. Recent population projections, based on the medium-growth scenario, show that by 2031, Canada will have 9.6 million seniors, of whom 53% or 5.1 million would be women. They would account for 24% of the total female population in 2031.

The chapter, "Immigrant women", uses 2006 Census data to examine the social and economic circumstances of female immigrants. The census enumerated 3,222,795 immigrant females in Canada in 2006, including recent arrivals and those who have been in Canada for many years and may already have Canadian citizenship. They made up one-fifth (20.3%) of the country's female population, the highest proportion since 1931. Between 2001 and 2006, the number of immigrant females increased 14%, four times faster than among non-immigrant ones.

The "Visible minority women" chapter analyzes their demographic and socio-economic characteristics, again using census data. In 2006, just over 5.1 million individuals reported being members of the visible minority population, as defined by the Employment Equity Act. Of this total, slightly over half, 51% or 2.6 million, were females. They comprised 16.4% of the total female population, up from 13.5% in 2001. If current immigration patterns continue, Canada's female visible minority population could reach 6.6 million or roughly 31% of the total female population by 2031.

Finally, the chapter on "First Nations, Métis and Inuit women" explores changes in the unique characteristics of the Aboriginal female population over time. The 2006 Census counted 600,695 Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. They made up 4% of the total Canadian female population. About 60% reported they were First Nations people, 33% Métis and 4% Inuit. Between 1996 and 2006, the number of Aboriginal females increased 45%, compared with 9% in the non-Aboriginal female population.

Three chapters have been released previously online. One analyzing developments in the labour force activity of women between 1976 and 2009 was released December 9, 2010. The second, which examined earnings of women, was released on December 16, 2010, and a third that analyzed the involvement of women and female youth in the criminal justice system was released on April 1, 2011.

All these chapters are now available in Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report, 2010-2011, sixth edition (89-503-X, free), from the Key resource module of our website under Publications. It is a collaborative effort of Status of Women Canada and Statistics Canada.

For more information on any chapter, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (613-951-5979; sasd-dssea@statcan.gc.ca), Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division.