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Francophone Women in Ontario — Statistical ProfileTABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOSSARY AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION INTRODUCTIONThe Office of Francophone Affairs has prepared updates of the statistical profiles of Ontario Francophones using Statistics Canada data from the 2001 Census. Similar profiles were published in 1999 based on the findings of the 1996 Census. This profile gives a statistical overview of Francophone women in Ontario. Four other profiles dealing with Francophones in Ontario, Francophone Youth in Ontario, Francophone Seniors in Ontario and Francophone Racial Minorities in Ontario are also available. They provide a closer examination of the data related to specific segments of the Francophone population of Ontario. METHODOLOGYThis profile of Francophone Women in Ontario is based on the findings of Statistics Canada's 2001 Census, augmented occasionally with data from the 1996 Census. The study deals with Francophone women. The Office of Francophone Affairs defines Ontario Francophones on the basis of their response to the question concerning mother tongue: What is the language first learned at home in childhood and still understood? For the purposes of this profile, the term "Francophones" designates those who indicated French as their sole mother tongue or as one of their mother tongues (single or multiple responses). The study considers a number of variables, including socio-demographic characteristics, retention of mother tongue, level of education, labour force participation and income. To highlight the situation of Francophone women in Ontario, it was compared to that of Ontario women in general. Two different forms were used for the 2001 Census. The short 2A form was distributed to 100% of the population and included a question on mother tongue. The longer 2B form was distributed to 20% of the population and contained more comprehensive questions regarding the level of education, income, employment, etc. The data in this profile are taken from the long form only (Profile 2B). DEMOGRAPHYREPRESENTATION AND REGIONAL DISTRIBUTIONThe census data indicate that, between 1996 and 2001, the female Francophone population increased by 8,225. The number of Francophone women increased in every region except Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario, where it decreased by 3,260 and 50 respectively. The female Francophone population of these two regions also decreased between 1991 and 1996. Women represent 52.7% of the total Francophone population and 51% of the general population of Ontario. Central Ontario has the highest proportionof Francophone women (53.8%) and Northwestern Ontario the lowest (48.3 %). It is also the only region where the number of women as a percentage of the Francophone population is lower than the number of women as a percentage of the regional population (48.3% compared to 50.3%). Francophone women represent a larger percentage of the female population in Northeastern and Eastern Ontario (25.6% and 15% respectively). In the other regions of the province, Francophone women represent less than 5% of the female population. Although Francophone women only account for 1.9% of the female population in Central Ontario, their number (71,750) represents 25.5% of all Francophone women in the province. The proportion is highest in Eastern (41.2%) and Northeastern Ontario (25.2%) and lowest in Northwestern (1.6%) and Southwestern Ontario (6.5%). In the general population, two thirds of all women live in Central Ontario (66.8%). AGE GROUPSBetween 1996 and 2001, the percentage of Francophone women aged 65 years and over increased from 14.6% to 15.9%, while in the general population it increased from 13.1% to 13.5%. As is true of the general population, Francophone women are underrepresented in the age group 0 to 34 years and overrepresented in the other age groups, i.e. 35 to 64 years and over. This trend is seen in every region, with the gaps being even wider in Southwestern Ontario. The percentage of elderly women is distinctly higher than the percentage of elderly men.Women represent 63.3% of all Francophones aged 75 years and over. In the general population, women represent 60.3% of all Ontarians aged 75 years and over. FAMILY STRUCTUREAmong families with children, one in five Francophone families is a single-parent family (18.2%). This percentage is lower than in the general population (23.4%). Most heads of single-parent families are women. Women make up 81.4% of heads of single-parent Francophone families. In the general population, women make up 82.5% of heads of single-parent families. In the age group 15 years and over, women are more likely than men to be living in a non-family household. A nonfamily household is a household where individuals live alone or with other individuals who may or may not be relatives but who do not comprise a family for the purpose of census-taking 1. Thus, 19.5% of Francophone women live in a non-family household compared to 17.4% of Francophone men. The percentage of women living in a non-family household is higher in the Francophone population than in the general population (19.5% compared to 15.4%). This percentage was 19.8% in 1996 for Francophone women and 16.3% for the general female population. The highest percentage of Francophone women living in a non-family household is found in Southwestern Ontario (23.4%) and the lowest percentage in Northwestern Ontario (16.4%). The percentage of Francophone women living in a non-family household is substantially higher for women aged 65 years and over. Indeed, 43.5% of Francophone women aged 65 years and over live in a non-family household. This is more than two and a half times the percentage for all Francophone women 15 years and over (19.5%). In the age group 15 years and over, womenaremorelikely to live alone than men. Among Francophone women, 15.7% live alone compared to 12.6% of Francophone men. The percentage of women living alone is higher in the Francophone population than in the general population (15.7% compared to 12.3%). The highest percentage of Francophone women living alone is found in Southwestern Ontario (20.3%), while the lowest percentage is found in Northwestern Ontario(14.1%). The percentage of Francophone women living alone is higher among women aged 65 years and over. Indeed, 40.6% of women in this age group live alone. This is more than twice the percentage for all women aged 15 years and over (15.7%).
LANGUAGE RETENTIONLANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOMEThe retention rate of French as mother tongue is determined on the basis of the language spoken at home by individuals whose mother tongue is French. Province-wide, three out of every five Francophone women speak French at home (56.5%).The language retention rate for Francophone women is similar to that of their male counterparts. As is true of the Francophone population in general, Francophone women have higher language retention rates in Eastern (70.1%) and Northeastern Ontario (66.7%), two regions with higher concentrations of Francophones. The retention rate is distinctly lower in Southwestern (26.5%) and Central Ontario (33.1%). Between 1996 and 2001, the percentage of Francophone women who spoke French at home decreased in every region except Northwestern Ontario. The sharpest decline occurred in Southwestern Ontario (4.2%). MOTHER TONGUE RETENTION AMONG CHILDRENFrancophone mothers play a key role in the preservation of the French language. When French is the mother tongue of both parents, 91.7% of children keep French as their mother tongue. When French is the mother tongue of just the mother, 34.2% of children keep French as their mother tongue. When French is the mother tongue of just the father, 14.6% of children keep French as their mother tongue. ENDOGAMOUS AND EXOGAMOUS FAMILIESIn two-parent families where at least one of the two partners is Francophone, French is the first language of both spouses in 35.2% of cases. In 33.8% of two-parent families, French is not the mother tongue of the male partner. In 31.1% of cases, French is not the mother tongue of the female partner2. The percentage of Francophone families where both partners are Francophones (endogamous families) was 39.3% in 1996, compared to 35.2% in 2001. Consequently, there has been an increase in the number of marriages where only one of the partners is Francophone (exogamous families). This is one of the factors in the decline of French as mother tongue among children. The percentage of exogamousmarriages is highest in the regions that have the smallest concentrations of Francophones: Southwestern Ontario (82.2%),Central Ontario (81.5%), and Northwestern Ontario (79.6%).
SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIESOver one third of Francophone women who are the heads of single-parent families do not speak French at home. For them, French is not the language spoken most often or used regularly at home (34.6%). Language transmission takes place in 65.4% of cases where the head of a single-parent household is a woman.3. Eastern and Northeastern Ontario are the two regions where French language transmission is the highest; it is the lowest in Central and Southwestern Ontario. The rate of transmission of French is higher in single-parent families headed by a woman than in single-parent families headed by a man (65.4% compared to 64.4%). This is true for all of the regions. The widest gap between the sexes can be found in Southwestern Ontario4.
EDUCATIONLEVELS OF EDUCATIONAs is true for the Francophone population as a whole, the level of education of Francophone women is lower than that of women in the general population. Less than Grade 9The percentage of Francophone women with less than a Grade 9 education is 11.7%, compared to 8.7% of women in the general population. This is true for every region except Central Ontario, where, the percentages are similar (9.2% and 9%). The regions with the largest percentages of Francophone women with less than a Grade 9 education are Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario (16.1% and 15.9%); the regions with the lowest percentages of Francophone women with less than a Grade 9 education are Central and Eastern Ontario (9.2% and 9.9%). In the province as a whole, the percentage of Francophone women with less than a Grade 9 education is comparable to that of Francophone men (11.7% compared to 12.2%). However, there are important regional variations. The percentage of Francophone women with less than a Grade 9 education is higher than that of Francophone men in Eastern Ontario, and lower in the other regions, notably in Northwestern Ontario, where there is a fairly wide gap between the sexes. High School DiplomaAs is true of Francophone men, the percentage of Francophone women with a high school diploma is lower than the percentage of women with a high school diploma in the general population (68% compared to 70.2%) except in Central Ontario, where 73.3% of Francophone women have at least a high school diploma, compared to70.6% of women in the general population. A higher percentage of Francophone women have a high school diploma than Francophone men (68% compared to 65.9%). This is the case in every region. Postsecondary EducationThe percentage of Francophone female high-school graduates who pursue a postsecondary education is lower than for women in the general population (76.2% compared to 78%), except in Central and Southwestern Ontario, where a larger percentage of Francophone women than women in the general population pursue a postsecondary education (80.3% compared to 78.6% in Central Ontario and 75.1% compared to 74.7% in Southwestern Ontario). Among Francophone high school graduates as a group, the percentage of women who pursue a postsecondary education is lower than the percentage of menand this is true for every region. In the province as a whole, Francophone women who pursue a postsecondary education are less likely than women in the general population to attend university (47.3% compared to 48.8%). However, there are major differences between the regions. Whereas, in Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario, Francophone women are less likely to attend university than women in the general population, the opposite is true in the other regions. Among Francophones who pursue a postsecondary education, relatively more women than men attend university (47.3% compared to 42.4%), and this is the case in every region. From 1996 to 2001, the percentage of Francophone women with an undergraduate degree from a university increased in every region, as was the case for the Francophone population as a whole. The largest increase occurred in Central Ontario (from 16% to 19.2%) and in Eastern Ontario (from 14.7% to 17.7%). The percentage of Francophone women with a university degree is lower than the percentage of women with a university degree in the general population (15.1% compared to 16.7%) in every region except Central Ontario, where the reverse is true (19.2% compared to 18%). In Ontario, the percentage of Francophone women with an undergraduate or graduate degree is higher than the percentage of Francophone men with a degree (15.1%compared to14.2%). This is true for every region except Central Ontario, where the percentages are similar for women and men(19.2% compared to 19.4%). Among women who attend university, the percentage of women who obtain an undergraduate degree is slightly lower for Francophone women than for women in the general population (61.6% compared to 62.6%). This percentage is also lower for Francophone women than for Francophone men (61.6% compared to 63.6%). Graduate StudiesThe percentage of Francophone women with an undergraduate degree who pursued graduate studies increased between1996 and 2001 in every region except Northwestern Ontario. The percentage of Francophone women with an undergraduate degree who pursue graduate studies is higher than that of women in the general population (34.2% compared to 31.3%). However, the percentage of Francophone women is distinctly lower than that of their male counterparts in every region. FIELD OF STUDYFrom 1996 to 2001, the percentage of Francophone women with a postsecondary diploma or degree whose main field of study was the Social Sciences continued to rise (from 10.9% to 12.2%).This percentage also continued to rise among women in the general population (from 12% to 12.8%). More than one quarter of Francophone women study Commerce, Management and Business Administration (26.7%). The corresponding percentage in the general female population is 25.9%. Compared to the general female population, the percentage of Francophone women is higher in Education (17.8% compared to 14.1%) and the Humanities and related fields (8.9% compared to 8.0%). On the other hand, Francophone women are underrepresented in the Health Professions (16.3% compared to 18%), the Social Sciences (12.2% compared to 12.8%), Agricultural, Biological, Nutritional and Food Sciences (3.2% compared to 4.1%). Compared to men, there is a far greater percentage of Francophone women and women in the general population who pursue studies in the fields of Health, Education, Commerce, Business Management and Administration. A larger percentage of men than women, however, choose technological and professional training in Engineering and the Applied Sciences. LABOUR MARKETLABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATIONThe rate of labour market participation is lower among Francophone women than among women in the general population (59.2% compared to 61.5%). Francophone women are also less likely to participate in the labour market than Francophone men (59.2% compared to 70.7%). This is also true for women in the general population (61.5% compared to 73.4%). The difference between Francophone women and women in the general population in terms of labour market participation is greatest in Southwestern Ontario (49.8% compared to 60.4%). Central and Eastern Ontario are the two regions where a proportionally higher number of Francophone women participate in the labour market than is the case for women in the general population (63.9% compared to 62.4% and 61.5% compared to 61.3%). UNEMPLOYMENT RATEThe unemployment rate of Francophone women is lower than that of women in the general population in every region of the province (5.7% compared to 6.5%). The widest gap between these two groups is found in Northeastern Ontario (7.1% compared to 8.9%). For the province as a whole, the unemployment rate of Francophone women is lower than that of Francophone men (5.7% compared to 6.5%). However, there are regional variations. The unemployment rate of Francophone women is lower than that of their male counterparts in Northeastern (7.1% compared to 11.3%) and Northwestern Ontario (7% compared to 10.4%), but higher in Eastern (5% compared to 4.4%) and Southwestern Ontario (5.4% compared to 4.4%). There are major regional variations in unemployment rates. Eastern Ontario has the lowest unemployment rate for Francophone women (5%) and Northern Ontario has the highest one (7.1% in Northeastern Ontario and 7% in Northwestern Ontario). OCCUPATIONSThe majority of Francophone women work in sales and services, business, finance, and administration (56.9%). This is also true of women in the general population (55.6%). More than one in seven Francophone women have occupations in the social sciences, education, public administration, and religion (14.1%). Overall, Francophone women work in the same occupational categories as women in the general population. However, there are a few notable differences in occupations in the social sciences, education, public administration, and religion (14.1% of Francophone women compared to 10.8% of women in general) and business, finance, and administration (30.8% of Francophone women compared to 27.9% of womenin general). Compared to women in the general population, Francophone women are underrepresented in trades related to processing, manufacturing, and public utilities (3.3% compared to 6.1%). The percentage of women in business, finance, and administration is highest in Eastern Ontario (33.3%). The percentage of women in management is highest in Central Ontario (10.8%). The percentage of Francophone women in sales and services is highest in Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario (35.8% and41%), the two regions with the highest concentrations of Francophones. The percentage of Francophone women working in trades related to processing, manufacturing and public utilities is highest in Southwestern Ontario (7.8%). INCOMEEMPLOYMENT INCOMEIncome LevelsCompared to their male counterparts, Francophone women and women in the general population are overrepresented in the income categories under $40,000 and underrepresented in the income categories over $40,000. On the other hand, a lower percentage of Francophone women earn less than $30,000 a year compared to women in the general population (57.2% compared to 62.1%) and a greater percentage earn between $30,000 and $70,000 a year (38.2% compared to 33.5%). The percentage of Francophone women earning more than $70,000 a year is comparable to the percentage of women in the general population (4.6% compared to 4.4%). However, Francophone women are three times less likely than Francophone men to be in the income category of over $70,000 a year. This ratio between men and women is the same in the general Ontario population. Average IncomeThe average annual employment income of Francophone women is higher than that of women in the general population ($28,731 compared to $26,894) in all regions of Ontario except Northwestern Ontario. The greatest gap is found in Central Ontario ($32,772 comparedto$27,824). The average annual employment income for Francophone women is highest in Central Ontario and lowest in Northwestern Ontario. The male-female wage gap is smaller for Francophones than it is for the general population. The average employment income of Francophone women represents 67.5% of the average income of their male counterparts ($28,731 compared to $42,593), whereas it represents 63% of the average employment income of men in the general population ($26,894 compared to $42,719). Median IncomeThe median employment income of Francophone women is higher than the median income of women in the general population ($25,006 compared to $22,003). Median income is the level of income at which the incomes of half of women are above and half are below. Central Ontario is the region where the median employment income of Francophone women is the highest, and Northeastern Ontario the region where it is the lowest ($29,039 and $17,921 respectively). TOTAL INCOMEAs is the case for employment income, the average total per capita income of Francophone women is higher than that of women in the general population ($25,773 compared to $24,683). The average income of Francophone women represents 62% of the average income of their male counterparts ($25,773 compared to $41,542). We find a similar ratio between the sexes in the general population. The average total income of women in Ontario represents 58.5% of the average total income of men ($24,683 compared to $42,160). The average total per capita income of Francophone women is highest in Central Ontario ($29,238) and lowest in Northeastern Ontario ($20,559). The average total per capita income of Francophone women is higher than for the general female population in all regions. The gap is the widest in Central Ontario ($29,238 compared to $25,353). FAMILY INCOMEAs with employment income and total per capita income, the average family income of Francophone women is higher than that of women in the general population ($62,767 compared to $60,970) in all regions of the province except in Southwestern Ontario, where the reverse is true ($54,647 compared to $55,312). The widest gaps between the average family income of Francophone women and women in the general population are found in Central and Northwestern Ontario. At the regional level, the average family income of Francophone women is highest in Central Ontario ($73,646) and lowest in Northeastern Ontario ($49,090). LOW-INCOME CUT-OFFFor all of Ontario, the percentage of Francophone women living below the low-income cut-off is slightly higher than for women in the general population (15.8% compared to 15.6%). However, there are some major regional differences. It is higher than for women in the general population in Eastern, Northwestern and Southwestern Ontario, and lower in Central and Northeastern Ontario. The gap between Francophone women and women in the general population is widest in Southwestern Ontario (16.8% compared to 13.5%). The percentage of Francophone women living below the low-income cut-off is highest in Northeastern Ontario (17.1%) and lowest in Northwestern Ontario (14.5%). The percentage of Francophone women living below the low-income cut-off is substantially higher than that of Francophone men (15.8% compared to 12.3%), and this is true for all regions. The same is true for the general population. PRIMARY SOURCE OF INCOMEEmployment income is the main source of income for the majority of Francophone women and women in the general population (65.6% and 68.1%). One in four Francophone women derives most of her income from government transfers; this percentage is slightly higher than for women in Ontario in general (25.1% and 23.4%). Proportionally more Francophone women than men depend on government transfers as their main source of income. The average income from government transfers as a primary source of income is substantially lower than any other source of income. In all income categories, the average income of Francophone women is lower than that of men. This is also true for Ontarians in general. Investment income as a primary source of income for Francophone women is lower than for women in the general population. For all other main sources of income, the average income for Francophone women is higher than for women in the general population. GLOSSARY AND TECHNICAL INFORMATIONDEFINITIONSDefinitions have been taken from the 2001 Census Dictionary and Census Consultation Guide of Statistics Canada. Average IncomeThe average income refers to the mean income of individuals 15 years of age and over who reported income for 2000. Average income is calculated by dividing the aggregate income of a specified group of individuals by the number of individuals with income in that group. Census Family (modified in 2002)A census family refers to a married couple (with or without children of either or both spouses), a couple living common-law (with or without children of either or both partners), or a lone parent of any marital status, with at least one child living in the same dwelling. A couple living common-law may be of opposite or same sex. "Children" in a census family include grandchildren living with their grandparent(s) but with no parents present (Form 2B variable). Census Family IncomeThe total income of a census family is the sum of the total incomes of all members of the family 15 years of age and over during the calendar year 2000. The income includes wages andsalaries, net farm income from self-employment, net non-farm income from unincorporated business and/or professional practice, government transfer payments, investment income, retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities and other money income(Form 2B variable). Employment IncomeEmployment income refers to total income received by persons 15 years of age and over during the calendar year 2000 as wages and salaries, net income from a non-farm unincorporated business and/or professional practice and net farm self-employment income (Form 2B variable). Endogamous and Exogamous FamiliesEndogamous families are families where both spouses are Francophone. Exogamous families are families where only one spouse is Francophone. Family HouseholdRefers to a household that contains at least one census family, that is, a married couple with or without children, or a couple living common-law with or without children, or a lone parent living with one or more children (loneparent family). Francophone PopulationFrancophones are defined by the mother tongue Census question: What was the language first learned at home in childhood and still understood? In this document, Francophones include persons with French as their mother tongue or as one of their mother tongues (French single and multiple responses). Home LanguageRefers to the language spoken most often or on a regular basis at home by the individual at the time of the Census. Statistics Canada is gathering data on languages spoken regularly at home since 2001 (Form 2B variable). Labour ForceLabour force refers to persons 15 years of age and over who were employed or unemployed during the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day. Employed persons include those who did any work for pay or in selfemployment. Unemployed persons include those who had actively looked for work in the past four weeks, persons who were on temporary lay-off and expected to return to their job and persons who had definite arrangements to start a new job in four weeks or less. Level of EducationLevel of education refers to the highest grade or year of elementary or secondary school completed, or the highest year of university or non-university completed. The completion of a degree, certificate or diploma is considered to be at a higher level than years completed or attended without obtaining a diploma. This is a variable on Form 2B that is compiled for individuals 15 years and over (Form 2B variable). Low-Income Cut-OffRespondents in private households whose income is less than or equal to the low-income cut-off. The low-income cut-off is based on the size of the household and the residential area. Major Field of StudyMajor field of study refers to the main discipline or area of learning or training of the person's highest postsecondary degree, certificate or diploma (Form 2B variable). Median IncomeMedian income refers to the level at which the income of half of the individuals is below and the income of half of the individuals is above. Mother TongueMother tongue refers to the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood by the individual at the time of the Census (Form 2A variable). In the 2B questionnaire, the mother tongue question was asked after the three other questions on language. Non-Family HouseholdA non-family household consists of one person living alone or of two or more persons who share a private dwelling but do not constitute a family. This definition excludes couples with or without children. OccupationOccupation refers to the type of work performed by the respondent during the reference week, as determined by their kind of work and the description of the most important duties in their job. Data on the occupations are generated using the Occupational Classification Manual for Statistics 2001 (2001 NOC-S) and consist of10 main occupational categories .Participation RateThe rate of labour force participation is the percentage of the total active population, or the population that is employed or looking for work, compared to the population aged 15 and over (Form 2B variable). Primary Source of IncomePrimary source of income refers to the source of income representing the largest proportion of the respondent's total income in 2000: employmnent income (salary, wages and income derived from self-employment); investment income (dividends, interest and other investment income); government transfers (old age security pension, guaranteed income supplement, CPP benefits, employment insurance benefits, child tax benefits, and other income from public sources); other income (retirement pensions, annuities and other pecuniary income). Single-Parent FamilyA family headed by a mother or father who does not have a spouse (either by marriage or common-law) and which houses one or more children (Form 2B variable). Total Per Capita IncomeTotal income refers to the total revenues received from the following sources during the calendar year 2000 by persons 15 years of age and over: total wages and salaries, net income from unincorporated non-farm business and/or professional practice, net farm self-employment income, government transfer payments (Old Age Security pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan benefits, Employment Insurance benefits, Federal Child Tax benefits, and other income from government sources), investment income (dividends, interest and other investment income), retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities and other money income (Form 2B variable). Unemployment RateThe unemployment rate refers to the unemployed labour force expressed as a percentage of the total labour force in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (Form 2B variable). To request a free copy of this document, please contact:
Government of Ontario Tel.: 416 325-4949 or 1 800 268-7507 (toll free) Email: ofa@ontario.ca ISBN #: 0-7794-8691-9 (PDF) Copyright Agreement:Any reference made to this document must cite the Office of Francophone Affairs and Statistics Canada as the data source. This document or excerpts from this document can be copied, but are not to be sold. September 2005 |
       
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