Canada is a diverse and multicultural country that values and celebrates diversity. Women from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds can find support and community in Canadian's diverse communities, and many organizations and initiatives exist to promote equity and inclusion.  

Of course, there’s still a lot to achieve and today, we are going to discuss some of the current statistics, facts and trends related to women in Canada in 2023. 

Population:  

On July 1, 2020, Canada’s population reached 38,048,738, 50% of them being women and girls.  

Close to 1 in 4 (23%) women in Canada are immigrants, and Indigenous women and girls make up 5% of the total female population.

Education and Labor Force Participation: 

Women in Canada have greater access to high-quality education than women in many other countries. 

According to the latest data available from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 99.7% of girls attend primary school and 95.5% attend secondary education. These high enrollment rates demonstrate Canada's commitment to ensuring that all children, regardless of gender, have access to quality education. Also, 

  • 33.2% of women aged 25-34 had a bachelor's degree or higher 

  • The high school graduation rate for female students in Canada is 89.7%. 

  • Female labour force participation rates are higher in Canada than the global average, with 61.4% of women participating in the labour force as of 2021. 

Professional representativeness by sector: 

  • Healthcare: Women are well-represented in healthcare, with 87% of registered nurses and 41% of physicians. However, they are still underrepresented in leadership positions, with only 30% of hospital CEOs being women. 

  • Education: also well-represented in education, women account for 68% of university professors and 80% of elementary and secondary school teachers. 

  • Finance: underrepresented in finance and accounting, they are only 38% of chartered professional accountants in Canada. 

  • Technology: they represent only 25% of the technology and STEM workforce in the country. 

  • Trades and construction: these are the job sectors with fewer female workers in the country - only 5% of them. 

  • Business and entrepreneurship: Women continue to make gains in entrepreneurship and business leadership. Women-owned businesses represent 16% of all small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada. 

Gender Pay Gap: 

While there are still challenges related to gender pay gaps - women usually earn 78 cents for every Canadian Dollar a man makes in the same job position - and underrepresentation in leadership roles, women in Canada have made significant progress in breaking down barriers to success in the workplace. Female immigrants can also find support and resources to help them navigate the Canadian job market and access opportunities for advancement. 

Violence Against Women:

According to Statistics Canada, nearly twice as many women (10%) compared to men (6%) reported being concerned about the possibility of violence in the home. Violence against women in Canada continues to be a significant issue, with Indigenous women and girls being at a higher risk of experiencing violence. 

In 2021, the Canadian government launched a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which aims to coordinate efforts across sectors and jurisdictions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in Canada. 

Political Representation: 

Canada ranks 18th in the world for women's representation in national parliaments, with women holding 29.4% of seats in the House of Commons as of 2021.  

Immigrant women held 11.6% of seats in the House of Commons, which is slightly higher than the percentage of seats held by Canadian-born women. 

Highlight: facts about immigrant women. 

Over the past 10 years, Canada has welcomed women immigrants from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds. Here are some trends and characteristics of women who have immigrated to Canada in recent years: 

  • Age: Women of all ages have immigrated to Canada, but the largest group of female immigrants are between the ages of 25-44. This age group accounted for 52% of female immigrants to Canada in 2019. 

  • Professional background: Female immigrants to Canada come from a range of professional backgrounds, including healthcare, education, finance, and technology. Many skilled workers and professionals, such as nurses, engineers, and IT specialists, have immigrated to Canada in recent years. 

  • Education: Female immigrants to Canada tend to have high levels of education. In 2019, 33.2% of women aged 25-34 who were recent immigrants to Canada had a bachelor's degree or higher. 

  • Language: Proficiency in English or French is a key requirement for immigrating to Canada, and many female immigrants have strong language skills. However, language barriers can still be a challenge for some women, particularly those who come from non-English or non-French speaking countries. 

Federal gender equality laws in Canada: 

Canada has several federal gender equality laws in place aimed at promoting gender equality in the workplace and beyond. At the federal level, these rights are further defined and protected through laws and regulations, including: 

  • the Employment Equity Act 

  • the Pay Equity Act 

  • the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act  

  • the Canada Labour Code 

Formerly known as the Status of Women Canada and first established in 1976, since 2018, the Canadian government passed the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, which formally established the department as a federal agency responsible for promoting gender equality, addressing systemic discrimination against women, and working to eliminate gender-based violence. The act also requires the department to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, including gender-based analysis and the integration of gender perspectives into all aspects of government decision-making.

In conclusion, Canada is a country that offers a high level of gender equality and opportunities for women. From the government's commitment to promoting gender equality through legislation and policies to the wide range of support and resources available for women and girls, Canada is a great place for women to thrive and pursue their goals, whether they are born in Canada or immigrate here. With a strong focus on education, healthcare, and professional development, Canada offers a welcoming environment where women can achieve their full potential and make valuable contributions to society. If you are considering immigrating to Canada, rest assured that you will be joining a community that values and supports women's rights and empowerment and offers countless opportunities for personal and professional growth.

It doesn’t matter your gender; if you are looking to work, study, invest or immigrate to Canada, we are here to support you in every step of the way! 

Fill out the free pre-assessment form and start planning your future in Canada!