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Canadian Births Linked to Income, Job Type
13 Sep
Summary
- Higher income households have double the chance of having a child.
- Public sector and unionized women are more likely to have children.
- Canada's fertility rate is at a record low of 1.25 children per woman.
A recent Statistics Canada report highlights how financial stability and employment sector are increasingly influencing decisions about having children in Canada. Data from 2017 to 2023 shows that women in households within the top income bracket have a 14.1% likelihood of having their first child, a rate more than double that of women in the lowest income bracket. This disparity is attributed to higher earnings or greater financial security.
Financial writer Renee Sylvestre-Williams notes the significant expense of raising a child, stating, "If you can afford it, you can have a kid." She estimates the cost to raise a child to 18 exceeds $300,000. Beyond general costs, specific expenses like formula and diapers add up, prompting many to seek financial security before starting a family.
Furthermore, the report indicates that employment type plays a role. Women in the public sector and those in unionized positions demonstrated a higher probability of having a child, independent of their income level. These findings emerge as Canada faces a persistent decline in its birth rate. The country's fertility rate reached an all-time low of 1.25 children per woman in 2024, placing it in the "ultra-low fertility" category, a trend with potential long-term economic and social implications.
