Introduction to the population in private households universe

Introduction to the population in private households universe

The population universe includes variables that provide information about individuals in private households, covering demographic, ethnocultural, language, mobility, education, income, place of work, journey to work and labour force characteristics. See Figure 1.1 for a list of these variables.

The population universe (the target population) of the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) is the population in private households. It excludes persons whose usual place of residence is a collective dwelling, for example, a hospital, a hotel, or a seniors' residence.

The target population of the NHS consists of persons from the following groups whose usual place of residence is a private dwelling in Canada:

• Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants (permanent residents).
• Persons who are claiming refugee status and family members living with them.
• Persons who hold study permits and family members living with them.
• Persons who hold work permits and family members living with them.

For the purposes of the NHS, these last three groups of people are referred to as 'non permanent residents.' Foreign residents are excluded from the population universe. Foreign residents are persons who belong to the following groups:

• Government representatives of another country attached to the embassy, high commission or other diplomatic body of that country in Canada, and members of their families living with them.
• Members of the Armed Forces of another country who are stationed in Canada and family members living with them.
• Residents of another country visiting Canada temporarily (for example, a foreign visitor on vacation or on business, with or without a visitor's permit).