Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Participation rate

Definition

Refers to the labour force in the week of Sunday, May 2 to Saturday, May 8, 2021, expressed as a percentage of the total population aged 15 years and over.

The participation rate for a particular group (age, sex, marital status, geographic area, etc.) is the total labour force in that group, expressed as a percentage of the total population in that group.

Previously, in other census cycles, early enumeration was conducted in remote, isolated parts of the provinces and territories in the months leading up to the May enumeration. Because of COVID‑19, there was no early enumeration for the 2021 Census. Collection procedures–especially in collective dwellings and remote, northern, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities–were redesigned to ensure the census was conducted in the best possible way, using a safe and secure approach.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person 15 years or over

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, please refer to the Labour force status row in Appendix 2.1.

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s)

Statistic derived from the Labour force status variable

Responses

Not applicable

Remarks

For more information, see the definition for the Labour force variable.

For information on the comparability of the 2021 Census labour force status data with those of the Labour Force Survey, see Appendix 2.11.

Note(s)

Related 2021 data products

• Census Program Data Viewer (CPDV) (98-507-X2021001)