In 2006 disposable income for women was 76% of that for men versus 58% in 1981

Québec, January 13, 2009 – In 2006 disposable income for women was 76% of that for men: $22,840 versus $30,244. This is an improvement compared to 2000 when the ratio was 69%, and to 1981 with a ratio of 58%. The gap is narrowing due to the increase in women’s income (29%) during that period, since men’s income was substantially the same in 2006 as in 1981. In the group aged 25-44, women’s income was 84% of men’s. These results were taken from the 2009 edition of the publication Données sociales du Québec, released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

As regards employment income in 2006, women working full time earned 78% of the income of men with the same work pattern. It was among workers with a university certificate that women’s income was the closest to men’s, i.e. a ratio of 92%. Conversely, the gap was greater between women and men having less than a Grade 9 level of schooling, women earning 53% of men’s income.

The increase in the proportion of dual-earner couples was more pronounced in Québec than in Ontario

Among couples with children under six, the proportion of dual earners has been higher in Québec than in Ontario since the beginning of the 2000s. Thus, in 2007, the proportion of dual-earner couples was 71.4% in Québec and 66.5% in Ontario.

Among dual-earner couples, full time work for both spouses where the youngest child is under three was more widespread in 2007 in Québec (79.7%) than in Ontario (76.1%).

Incidence of persistent low-income higher in Québec

The incidence of persistent low income is defined as the percentage of persons living in a family where the income is under the low-income cutoff rate, i.e. less than 50% of the median income, for the current year and at least two of the three preceding years. In 2006, 7.9% of Quebecers were in low income and had been for at least two of the three preceding years, compared to 6.5% of Ontarians and 7.7% of Canadians.

In Québec the incidence of persistent low-income for men (7.3%) was lower than for women (8.5%).

Sharp increase in proportion of seniors with drivers’ licences

Between 2000 and 2006, the proportion of women aged between 65 and 74 with a car or light truck driver’s licence rose sharply, up to 62.6% from 51.4%. This is the continuation of an increase that started several decades ago. In fact, in 1980, the proportion of women in that age group with a driver’s licence was only 12.4%.

For the men in the same age group, the increase has been minimal in the past few years, up to 88.7% in 2006 from 86.5% in 2000. However, that proportion is well above what it was in 1980 (65.1%).

Owner households in Québec over 60%-mark

Between 2001 and 2006, the increase in the proportion of owner households was not as high in Québec (2.2 points) as in Ontario (3.2 points). During that period, owner households in Québec surpassed the 60%-mark that was reached by Ontario in 1971.

Throughout the period 1971-2006, the proportion of owner households went up the most in Québec, i.e. 12.8 percentage points (from 47.4% to 60.2%) compared to Ontario (8.1 points).

31% of private households composed of one person only

In 2006, the most widespread type of household was that composed of one person; this type accounts for 31% of private households. The number of one person households surpassed those containing a couple with children (28%) and a couple without children (26%). The proportion of lone-parent family households was stable, slightly above 10%.

There is one characteristic of the family worth underscoring: 86% of Québec families composed of a couple with children, that is, the vast majority, are composed of intact families. There has been a 3.5 point drop since 1995.

Données sociales du Québec also takes a look at specific behaviours related to health, wealth, low income, income inequality, household expenditures and time use.

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:

Hervé Gauthier, Coordinator
Phone: 418-691-2406, Ext. 3111
Institut de la statistique du Québec

Sylvie Jean, socioeconomic research and planning officer
Phone: 418-691-2406, Ext. 3155
Institut de la statistique du Québec

Information and Documentation Centre (ISQ)
Phone: 418-691-2401
or 1-800-463-4090 (toll free in Canada and the United States)

ISQ website: www.stat.gouv.qc.ca