A panorama of Quebecers' living conditions
Québec, June 16, 2005 - This study on Quebecers' living conditions shows that some are improving and others worsening. Among the improved conditions is the employment rate of Québec mothers with a spouse and children under six, which, since the start of the 2000s, has been higher than that of Ontarian and Canadian women. In addition, between 1983 and 2003, the number of violent crimes declined considerably. With respect to deteriorating conditions, note that the rate of graduation with a first secondary school diploma dropped after 1995-1996, and that of Québec household expenditures made between 1997 and 2002, health care went up the most. This was revealed in the 2005 edition of Données sociales du Québec, a new publication by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Mortality and state of health
Mortality due to external causes, also called "violent mortality", declined significantly between 1981 and 2002 in all age groups, except in the case of the very elderly. In young men and women aged between 20 and 24, the 2002 rate accounts respectively for one half and 70% of the 1981 rate. Among women and men aged between 60 and 64, the recent rate is only one half of the 1981 rate. Deaths due to external causes are mainly a result of suicides, car accidents, and falls by the elderly; they also include drowning and homicide deaths, etc.
Quebecers have different health habits than Ontarians and Canadians. In 2000-2001, there were, proportionally speaking, more Quebecers in the normal weight range and who ate at least five portions of fruits and vegetables daily, but also more who smoked and drank alcohol.
Educational attainment
Between 1975-1976 and 1995-1996, the rate of graduation with a first secondary diploma climbed from 57.0% to 88.0%; subsequently dropping and attaining 78.8% in 2002-2003. The rate of graduation with a bachelor's degree, which continued to increase between 1975-1976 and 1995-1996, going from 14.9% to 29.0%, dropped to 25.7% in 2000-2001. However, that rate should rise again given the rising number of students who have started a bachelor's degree over the past few years.
Labour force, working conditions and remuneration
The rapidly increasing number of working mothers whose youngest child is under age six is a known fact. Since the beginning of the 2000s, the employment rate of Québec mothers aged 25 to 44 with a spouse and child under six in 2003 was higher than that of Ontarian women (+4 percentage points) and Canadian women (+3 percentage points). Compared with 1976, Québec followed the same rising trend as in Ontario and the whole of Canada, but at a faster pace.
An increasing number of Québec mothers with young children hold full-time paid jobs. In fact, from 1976 to 2003, the proportion of these mothers holding full-time jobs in total employment rose by 10 percentage points.
Income and wealth
In Québec, between 1981 and 2002, the average retirement income of family units (families and unattached individuals combined) more than quadrupled, going from $706 to $3,344 in 2002 constant dollars. Furthermore, investment income is clearly lower than 20 years ago (-21%): $2,039 versus $2,569.
Household expenditures
Average household expenditures in Québec rose by 8% in 2002 constant dollars between 1997 and 2002. Healthcare expenditures increased the most, up 43% from 1997, i.e. $1,658 versus $1,161. They were followed by expenditures in household furnishings and equipment (+27%) and transportation (+24%). Only expenditure on printed matter and tobacco and alcoholic beverages decreased. Annual expenditure on printed matter (books, newspapers and magazines) fell 12% during that period: $280 versus $248 on average per household. Tobacco product and alcoholic beverage purchases dropped 9% between 1997 and 2002, going from $1,695 to $1,545 in constant dollars.
Housing and transportation
The proportion of Québec households that spent 30% and over of their income on housing between 1981 et 2001 decreased in the case of owners, whereas it increased substantially in the case of tenants (from 28.7% to 35.9%). However, they seemed to be in a better position than Ontarian or Canadian tenants for whom the increase was even more considerable.
Between 1980 and 2003, the rate of men under 55 holding a driver's licence tended to decrease or become stable. As of 55 years of age, this rate increased regularly, especially in the 65-74 age group, going from 65.1% (1980) to 87.6% (2003). In contrast, the rate of women holding a driver's licence tended to stabilize before 35 years of age; subsequently, it continues to increase as is the case in the 35-44 age group (from 67.9% to 85.0%) and in the 65-74 age group in which it skyrocketed (from 12.4% to 56.9 %).
Crimes of violence
Between 1983 and 2003, Québec saw a major reduction in crimes of violence. This was especially the case of homicides whose rate per 100,000 population declined to 1.3, compared to a peak of 3.3 attained in 1985, i.e. a 59% decrease in 18 years. In addition, severe assault, which includes sexual assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm (level 2), aggravated sexual assault (level 3) and aggravated assault (level 3), maiming or disfiguring or endangering the life of the victim, went from a peak of 1,018 in 1992 to 473 in 2003, i.e. a 54% decrease. Similarly, the robbery rate dropped to 93 per 100,000 population in 2003, compared with a peak of 182 per 100,000 population reached in 1991, i.e. a 49% reduction in 12 years.
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The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces and disseminates relevant, reliable, and timely statistical information on the socioeconomic development of Québec. It is the central authority for the production and dissemination of official statistical information for Québec government departments and agencies. It is also responsible for conducting statistical surveys of general interest.
Sources :
- Information and Documentation Centre (ISQ)
Phone: (418) 691-2401
or 1-800-463-4090 (toll free in Canada and the United States)
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