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.

2011 National Household Survey: Data tables

Tabulation: Mother Tongue (8), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Highest Certificate, Diploma or Degree (15), Labour Force Status (8), Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (11), Age Groups (10C) and Sex (3) for the Population Aged 15 Years and Over, in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey

About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :
99-010-X2011040
Release date :
December 11, 2013
Topic :
Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity
Variables :
  1. Geography Geographic Index
  2. Knowledge of official languages (5)
  3. Highest certificate, diploma or degree (15)
  4. Immigrant status and period of immigration (11)
  5. Age groups (10C)
  6. Sex (3)
  7. Mother tongue (8)
  8. Labour force status (8)

Note

Note: Confidentiality disclosure control for the National Household Survey (NHS)

Disclosure control rules have been applied to data tables available from the National Household Survey (NHS). The number of actual records used to derive any number in a table must meet a minimum criterion. For a table cell where this criterion is not met, the number is replaced by a zero. Due to this disclosure control, subtotals will not necessarily aggregate to the total. As well, users should note that random rounding has also been applied to the data.


Note: Differences between the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) estimates and census counts

The 2011 Census of Population and the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) both provide information on the Canadian population for various levels of geography and for numerous common topics (e.g., demography, marital status, family and language) including characteristics associated to these topics. It is possible that differences exist between the 2011 Census count and the NHS estimate. Two reasons can explain these differences:

- The definition of the population of each data source: the target population for the 2011 Census includes usual residents in collective dwellings and persons living abroad, whereas the target population for the NHS excludes them.

- The variability of the estimates for the NHS: the NHS estimates are derived from a sample survey and are therefore subject to sampling error; they are also subject to potentially higher non-response error than in the census due to the survey's voluntary nature.


Note: The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) estimates - quality indicators

For the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) estimates, the global non-response rate (GNR) is used as an indicator of data quality. This indicator combines complete non-response (household) and partial non-response (question) into a single rate. The value of the GNR is presented to users. A smaller GNR indicates a lower risk of non-response bias and as a result, lower risk of inaccuracy. The threshold used for estimates' suppression is a GNR of 50% or more. For more information, please refer to the National Household Survey User Guide, 2011.


Note: Non-permanent residents and the NHS universe

The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) included information about non-permanent residents in Canada. Non-permanent residents are defined as persons from another country who, at the time of the survey, held a Work or Study Permit or who were refugee claimants, as well as non-Canadian-born family members living in Canada with them. The non-permanent resident population is identified from responses to the citizenship and landed immigrant status questions. Persons who are not Canadian citizens by birth and who answered 'No' to the landed immigrant status question are considered non permanent residents.

The inclusion of non-permanent residents in the NHS facilitates comparisons with provincial and territorial statistics (marriages, divorces, births and deaths) which include this population and provides information for planning of services, such as health care, education and employment programs. As well, the inclusion of non-permanent residents brings Canadian practice closer to the United Nations recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated.

Although every attempt has been made to enumerate non-permanent residents, factors such as language difficulties, the reluctance to complete a government form or to understand the need to participate may have affected the estimate of this population.


Note: Youth labour force status

Both the National Household Survey (NHS) and the Labour Force Survey (LFS) collect data on the labour force status of the Canadian population. However, there are a number of conceptual differences between the two surveys. For more information on the general comparability of the NHS and Labour Force Survey data refer to the National Household Survey Dictionary, Catalogue no. 99-000-X, Appendix 2.1.

In addition to the information provided in the appendix, data users should be aware that in May 2011, the reference periods between the two surveys had a gap of two weeks. The NHS reference period was from May 1 to May 7, 2011, whereas the reference period of the LFS was from May 15 to May 21, 2011.

This gap in reference periods occurred during a strategic time of the year for youth as the academic year ended in May; job searching and hiring for the summer began. Most noticeably, employment rates for individuals aged 15 to 24 showed a discrepancy between the two surveys for May 2011.


Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: