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Marital status
Part A - Plain language definition:
A person's de facto conjugal status. Marital status data are derived from the responses to Question 4 (Marital status) and Question 5 (Common-law) in the census questionnaires. For example, a person who, in Question 4, reported being 'widowed' and in Question 5 reported living with another person as a couple, but not being married to that person, will be counted as married.
Part B - Detailed definition:
Refers to the conjugal status of a person.
The various responses are defined as follows:
Married and common-law1
Persons currently married whose spouse is living, unless the couple is separated or divorced, and persons living common-law.
Separated, but still legally married
Persons currently married, but who are no longer living with their spouse (for any reason other than illness or work) and have not obtained a divorce. Persons who are separated but who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
Divorced
Persons who have obtained a legal divorce and who have not remarried. Persons who are divorced but who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
Widowed
Persons who have lost their spouse through death and who have not remarried. Persons who are widowed but who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
Never legally married (single)2
Persons who have never married (including all persons less than 15 years of age) and persons whose marriage has been annulled and who have not remarried. Persons who are single and live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
More information on Marital status
Notes:
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Since 2001, same-sex partners living common law are included in this category.
In 2006, same-sex married couples are included in this category.
- In 2001, this category was reordered from the last position to the first in the choice of responses.
