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  2. Educational Attainment

Indicators of Well-being in Canada


Learning - Educational Attainment

Status

  1. Educational Attainment
  2. Job-related Training
  3. Adult Literacy
  4. Adult Numeracy
  5. Student Literacy
  6. Student Numeracy
  7. College and Trade Participation
  8. University Participation

Life events

  1. School Drop-outs

Key influences

  1. Computer Access in Schools
Definition and Methodology | Display High Contrast Charts

Relevance

Educational attainment reflects what skills are available to society and the labour market. Several categories are used to measure educational attainment: without high school diploma, with high school diploma, some post-secondary education, and post-secondary certification. Post-secondary certification includes trade certifications, college diplomas, and university degrees.

Summary

  • National Picture — In 2011, about 53% of Canadians aged 15 and over had trade certificates, college diplomas and university degrees. This was an increase of 20 percentage points since 1990. 
  • Gender — In 2011, a higher percentage of women (72%) than men (65%) aged 25 to 44 years had completed a post-secondary education.  
  • Age — In 2011, 68% of those aged 25 to 44 years and 58% of those aged 45 to 64 years were post-secondary graduates.
  • Aboriginal People — In 2006, 41% of the Aboriginal population aged 25 to 64 years had post-secondary certification; of which only 8% had a university degree.
  • Recent Immigrants — In 2006, a higher proportion of recent immigrants aged 25 to 64 years reported having university degrees (51%) compared to the Canadian population (19%).
  • Regions — The percentage of the population 15 years of age and over with college, trade, or post-secondary certification other than a university degree was fairly consistent across the country in 2011, ranging from 27% in Manitoba to 37% in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • International Picture — In 2009, Canada had the highest proportion of post-secondary graduates (50%) in the 25 to 64 years age group among member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the G7.

National Picture

The percentage of persons 15 years of age and over without high school diplomas decreased from 37.8% in 1990 to 19.5% in 2011. This is consistent with the increase in the percentage of the population with post-secondary certification. Between 1990 and 2011, the proportion of individuals who had obtained college or trade certification increased 9.4 percentage points, to 31.2%. Meanwhile, the percentage of individuals with university degrees rose from 10.9% in 1990 to 21.5% in 2011.


This Chart contains data for Level of education, 15 years of age and over, 1990-2011. Information is available in table below 2011 (Without high school diploma) = 20 2010 (Without high school diploma) = 20 2009 (Without high school diploma) = 21 2008 (Without high school diploma) = 22 2007 (Without high school diploma) = 22 2006 (Without high school diploma) = 23 2005 (Without high school diploma) = 24 2004 (Without high school diploma) = 25 2003 (Without high school diploma) = 25 2002 (Without high school diploma) = 26 2001 (Without high school diploma) = 27 2000 (Without high school diploma) = 28 1999 (Without high school diploma) = 29 1998 (Without high school diploma) = 30 1997 (Without high school diploma) = 31 1996 (Without high school diploma) = 32 1995 (Without high school diploma) = 33 1994 (Without high school diploma) = 34 1993 (Without high school diploma) = 34 1992 (Without high school diploma) = 36 1991 (Without high school diploma) = 37 1990 (Without high school diploma) = 38 2011 (High school diploma) = 20 2010 (High school diploma) = 20 2009 (High school diploma) = 20 2008 (High school diploma) = 20 2007 (High school diploma) = 20 2006 (High school diploma) = 20 2005 (High school diploma) = 20 2004 (High school diploma) = 19 2003 (High school diploma) = 19 2002 (High school diploma) = 19 2001 (High school diploma) = 19 2000 (High school diploma) = 20 1999 (High school diploma) = 19 1998 (High school diploma) = 19 1997 (High school diploma) = 19 1996 (High school diploma) = 20 1995 (High school diploma) = 20 1994 (High school diploma) = 20 1993 (High school diploma) = 21 1992 (High school diploma) = 21 1991 (High school diploma) = 21 1990 (High school diploma) = 21 2011 (Some post-secondary) = 8 2010 (Some post-secondary) = 8 2009 (Some post-secondary) = 8 2008 (Some post-secondary) = 9 2007 (Some post-secondary) = 8 2006 (Some post-secondary) = 8 2005 (Some post-secondary) = 9 2004 (Some post-secondary) = 10 2003 (Some post-secondary) = 10 2002 (Some post-secondary) = 9 2001 (Some post-secondary) = 9 2000 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1999 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1998 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1997 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1996 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1995 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1994 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1993 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1992 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1991 (Some post-secondary) = 9 1990 (Some post-secondary) = 9 2011 (College or trade certification) = 31 2010 (College or trade certification) = 31 2009 (College or trade certification) = 31 2008 (College or trade certification) = 30 2007 (College or trade certification) = 30 2006 (College or trade certification) = 30 2005 (College or trade certification) = 30 2004 (College or trade certification) = 29 2003 (College or trade certification) = 29 2002 (College or trade certification) = 29 2001 (College or trade certification) = 28 2000 (College or trade certification) = 27 1999 (College or trade certification) = 28 1998 (College or trade certification) = 28 1997 (College or trade certification) = 27 1996 (College or trade certification) = 26 1995 (College or trade certification) = 25 1994 (College or trade certification) = 25 1993 (College or trade certification) = 23 1992 (College or trade certification) = 22 1991 (College or trade certification) = 22 1990 (College or trade certification) = 22 2011 (University degree) = 22 2010 (University degree) = 21 2009 (University degree) = 20 2008 (University degree) = 20 2007 (University degree) = 19 2006 (University degree) = 19 2005 (University degree) = 18 2004 (University degree) = 17 2003 (University degree) = 17 2002 (University degree) = 16 2001 (University degree) = 16 2000 (University degree) = 16 1999 (University degree) = 15 1998 (University degree) = 14 1997 (University degree) = 14 1996 (University degree) = 14 1995 (University degree) = 13 1994 (University degree) = 13 1993 (University degree) = 13 1992 (University degree) = 12 1991 (University degree) = 11 1990 (University degree) = 11 (percent) Level of education, 15 years of age and over, 1990-2011

Source: HRSDC calculations based on Statistics Canada. Labour force survey estimates (LFS), by educational attainment, sex and age group, annual (CANSIM Table 282-0004). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Level of education, 15 years of age and over, 1990-2011 (percent)
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Without high school diploma38373634343332313029282726252524232222212020
High school diploma21212121202020191919201919191920202020202020
Some post-secondary999999999999910109889888
College or trade certification22222223252526272828272829292930303030313131
University degree11111213131314141415161616171718191920202122

Gender

In 2011, more women (72.2%) than men (64.7%) aged 25 to 44 years of age had completed post-secondary education. The percentages for this age group are in stark contrast to those of the group 65 years of age and over, in which only 34.5% of women and 45.0% of men had completed post-secondary education.


This Chart contains data for Completion of post-secondary education, by age and gender, 2011. Information is available in table below 65+ years (Wowen) = 34 65+ years (Men) = 45 25-44 years (Wowen) = 72 25-44 years (Men) = 65 (percent) Completion of post-secondary education, by age and gender, 2011

Source: HRSDC calculations based on Statistics Canada. Labour force survey estimates (LFS), by educational attainment, sex and age group, annual (CANSIM Table 282-0004). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Completion of post-secondary education, by age and gender, 2011 (percent)
25-44 years65+ years
Men6545
Wowen7234

Age

The trend toward higher education is noticeable in the highest level of education achieved by each age group. In 2011, 68.4% of those aged 25 to 44, and 58.1% of those aged 45 to 64, had obtained some form of post-secondary certification. These age groups also had the lowest proportions of individuals without high school diplomas: 7.9% of those aged 25 to 44, and 14.5% of those aged 45 to 64. The group 65 years and over had the largest proportion of individuals without high school diplomas (38.0%), and by far the lowest proportion with post-secondary certification (39.3%). The percentage of individuals with high school diplomas varied only slightly among age groups: 23.7% for those aged 25 to 44; 27.4% for those aged 45 to 64 years old and 22.7% for those 65 years of age and older.


This Chart contains data for Level of education, by age, 2011. Information is available in table below 65+ years (University degree) = 15 65+ years (College or trade certification) = 25 65+ years (High school diploma) = 23 65+ years (Without high school diploma) = 38 45-64 years (University degree) = 22 45-64 years (College or trade certification) = 36 45-64 years (High school diploma) = 27 45-64 years (Without high school diploma) = 14 25-44 years (University degree) = 31 25-44 years (College or trade certification) = 37 25-44 years (High school diploma) = 24 25-44 years (Without high school diploma) = 8 (percent) Level of education, by age, 2011

Source: HRSDC calculations based on Statistics Canada. Labour force survey estimates (LFS), by educational attainment, sex and age group, annual (CANSIM Table 282-0004). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Level of education, by age, 2011 (percent)
25-44 years45-64 years65+ years
Without high school diploma81438
High school diploma242723
College or trade certification373625
University degree312215

Aboriginal People

In 2006, the proportion of the Aboriginal population aged 25 to 64 years without a high school diploma (34%) was 19 percentage points higher than the proportion of the non-Aboriginal population of the same age group (15%).

There is no disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups for college and trade certification; certification was obtained by 33% of both populations. Whereas 23% of the non-Aboriginal population had successfully completed a university degree, only 8% of the Aboriginal population reported completing a university education.


This Chart contains data for Level of education, non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal populations, aged 25-64 years, 2006. Information is available in table below University degree (Non-Aboriginal population) = 23 University degree (Aboriginal population) = 8 College or trade certification (Non-Aboriginal population) = 33 College or trade certification (Aboriginal population) = 33 Some post-secondary (Non-Aboriginal population) = 5 Some post-secondary (Aboriginal population) = 4 High school diploma (Non-Aboriginal population) = 24 High school diploma (Aboriginal population) = 21 Without high school diploma (Non-Aboriginal population) = 15 Without high school diploma (Aboriginal population) = 34 (percent) Level of education, non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal populations, aged 25-64 years, 2006

Source: Statistics Canada. Educational Portrait of Canada, Census 2006. Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 2008 (Cat. No. 97-560-X2006001).


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Level of education, non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal populations, aged 25-64 years, 2006 (percent)
Without high school diplomaHigh school diplomaSome post-secondaryCollege or trade certificationUniversity degree
Aboriginal population34214338
Non-Aboriginal population152453323

Recent Immigrants

Recent immigrants are those individuals who immigrated to Canada in the 5 years before the last Census (i.e., between 2001 and 2006). In 2006, a greater proportion of recent immigrants to Canada had completed a university degree (51%) compared to the overall Canadian average (19%). The reverse was true for college and trade certification, with 16% of recent immigrants having received certification compared to 30% of the total Canadian population. A lower proportion of recent immigrants was also without a high school diploma (9%) compared to the Canadian average (23%).


This Chart contains data for Level of education, recent immigrant population, aged 25-64 years, 2006. Information is available in table below University degree (Recent immigrant population) = 51 University degree (Canadian population) = 19 College or trade certification (Recent immigrant population) = 16 College or trade certification (Canadian population) = 30 Some post-secondary (Recent immigrant population) = 9 Some post-secondary (Canadian population) = 8 High school diploma (Recent immigrant population) = 15 High school diploma (Canadian population) = 20 Without high school diploma (Recent immigrant population) = 9 Without high school diploma (Canadian population) = 23 (percent) Level of education, recent immigrant population, aged 25-64 years, 2006

Source: Statistics Canada. Educational Portrait of Canada, Census 2006. Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 2008 (Cat. No. 97-560-X2006001).


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Level of education, recent immigrant population, aged 25-64 years, 2006 (percent)
Without high school diplomaHigh school diplomaSome post-secondaryCollege or trade certificationUniversity degree
Canadian population232083019
Recent immigrant population91591651

Regions

The percentage of the population aged 15 years and over with college, trade, or post-secondary certification other than a university degree was fairly consistent across the country in 2011, ranging from 27.3% in Manitoba to 36.5% in Newfoundland and Labrador. Both nationally and in the provinces, a smaller proportion of the population had completed university degrees. Ontario had the highest percentage of persons with university degrees in 2011, at 24.2%, while Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest percentage, at 13.3%.


This Chart contains data for Post-secondary certification, by region, 2011. Information is available in table below BC (University) = 23 BC (College or trade certification) = 30 AB (University) = 20 AB (College or trade certification) = 32 SK (University) = 16 SK (College or trade certification) = 30 MB (University) = 18 MB (College or trade certification) = 27 ON (University) = 24 ON (College or trade certification) = 29 QC (University) = 20 QC (College or trade certification) = 35 NB (University) = 15 NB (College or trade certification) = 32 NS (University) = 20 NS (College or trade certification) = 33 PE (University) = 17 PE (College or trade certification) = 32 NL (University) = 13 NL (College or trade certification) = 37 CAN (University) = 21 CAN (College or trade certification) = 31 (percent) Post-secondary certification, by region, 2011

Note: National average does not include information for the territories.

Source: HRSDC calculations based on Statistics Canada. Labour force survey estimates (LFS), by educational attainment, sex and age group, annual (CANSIM Table 282-0004). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Post-secondary certification, by region, 2011 (percent)
CANNLPENSNBQCONMBSKABBC
College or trade certification3137323332352927303230
University2113172015202418162023

International Picture

Among Canada's adult population aged 25 to 64, 50% had completed post-secondary education in 2009, the highest percentage among OECD member countries, and well above the OECD average of 30%. Italy reported the lowest percentage of post-secondary graduates at 15%.


This Chart contains data for Completion of post-secondary education, population 25-64 years, Canada, G7 countries and OECD average, 2009. Information is available in table below Canada = 50 Japan = 44 United States = 41 United Kingdom = 37 OECD - 34 = 30 France = 29 Germany = 26 Italy = 15 (percent) Completion of post-secondary education, population 25-64 years, Canada, G7 countries and OECD average, 2009

Note: The OECD definition of tertiary education does not include trade or vocational certification.

Source: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Education at a Glance 2011, (see table A1.3a) Population that has attained tertiary education (2009) OECD Statistics. Available from: Education at a Glance 2011 [cited August 29, 2011].


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Completion of post-secondary education, population 25-64 years, Canada, G7 countries and OECD average, 2009 (percent)
ItalyGermanyFranceOECD - 34United KingdomUnited StatesJapanCanada
1526293037414450

 

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Date Modified:
2013-05-20