Inuit: Fact Sheet for Nunavut Inuit: Fact Sheet for Nunavut

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Release date: March 29, 2016 Correction date: (if required)

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About the data sources

The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) and the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) are the main data sources for this fact sheet. The 2011 NHS collected social and economic data about the Canadian population. The 2012 APS was a national survey of First Nations people living off reserve, Métis, and Inuit aged 6 and older. The data are for the Aboriginal identity population, which refers to people who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, First Nations, Métis or Inuit, and/or those who reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act of Canada, and/or those who reported they were members of an Indian band or First Nation. It was possible to report both single and multiple responses to the Aboriginal identity questions on the NHS and the APS. The NHS data in this fact sheet are based on single responses only. The APS data represent a combination of the single and multiple Aboriginal identity populations. Nearly all off-reserve First Nations, Métis, and Inuit respondents reported a single identity.

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Aboriginal people account for the majority of the population in Nunavut

Numbering 27,360, 2% of the Aboriginal identity population in Canada lived in Nunavut in 2011. They made up 86% of the total population of the territory.
Nunavut was home to 27,070 Inuit, 130 First Nations people, and 130 Métis^{Note 1} with the rest reporting other^{Note 2} Aboriginal identities (15) or more than one Aboriginal identity (20). From 2006 to 2011, the Inuit population in Nunavut increased by 10%, while the First Nations population increased by 30%, and the Métis population did not change.^{Note 3}

Inuit population younger than non-Aboriginal

Over half (57%) of Inuit in Nunavut were under the age of 25, compared with 19% of the non-Aboriginal population.
In 2011, the median age of Inuit was 21.2. This was younger than the non-Aboriginal population, whose median age was 38.8.

Two-thirds of Inuit children live with both parents

In Nunavut, 67% of Inuit children aged 14 and younger lived in a family with both their parents in 2011. The corresponding percentage for non-Aboriginal children was 84%. About a quarter (23%) of Inuit children lived in a lone-parent family, a rate that was higher than that for their non-Aboriginal peers (13%).

Table 1
Percentage distribution of children aged 14 and under by living arrangement, by selected Aboriginal identity group, Nunavut, 2011 Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentage distribution of children aged 14 and under by living arrangement Inuit single identity and Non-Aboriginal identity population, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent
	Inuit single identity	Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Table 1 Note 1}
Children of both parents^{Table 1 Note 2}	66.5	84.2
Stepchildren	5.3	2.1
Children of lone parent	23.2	12.6
Grandchildren in skip-generation family	2.4	0.0
Foster children	1.3	0.0
Children living with other relatives^{Table 1 Note 3}	1.2	0.0
Note 1. The non-Aboriginal identity population excludes those who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status. Return to Table 1 note 1 referrer Note 2. Includes children in a two-parent family where there may also be stepsiblings or half-siblings present. Also includes children in a two-parent family for whom it cannot be determined if they are stepchildren. Return to Table 1 note 2 referrer Note 3. Non-relatives may be present. Excludes foster children. Return to Table 1 note 3 referrer Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

Four in ten Inuit live in crowded homes

In 2011, 39% of Inuit in Nunavut lived in crowded homes, that is, with more than one person per room. The comparable figure for the non-Aboriginal population was 4%.
Just over a third of Inuit (35%) lived in homes in need of major repairs. The corresponding percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 14%.

Table 2
Percentages living in crowded homes and homes in need of major repairs, by selected Aboriginal identity group, Nunavut, 2011 Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentages living in crowded homes and homes in need of major repairs Inuit single identity and Non-Aboriginal identity population, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent
	Inuit single identity	Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Table 2 Note 1}
Crowding^{Table 2 Note 2}	39.2	4.3
Home in need of major^{Table 2 Note 3} repairs	35.4	13.7
Note 1. The non-Aboriginal identity population excludes those who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status. Return to Table 2 note 1 referrer Note 2. More than one person per room. Return to Table 2 note 2 referrer Note 3. For example, dwellings with defective plumbing or electrical wiring and dwellings needing structural repairs to walls, floors or ceilings. Return to Table 2 note 3 referrer Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

Nine in ten Inuit report ability to speak an Aboriginal language

In Nunavut, 89% of Inuit reported the ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language. The Aboriginal languages most commonly spoken by Inuit were Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun and Innu/Montagnais. At the same time, 80% of Inuit reported an Aboriginal language as their mother tongue.
The number of Inuit who reported being able to converse in an Aboriginal language exceeded the number who reported an Aboriginal mother tongue, which suggests acquisition of an Aboriginal language as a second language.
Based on results of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 94% of Inuit aged 6 and older reported that speaking and understanding an Aboriginal language was important to them.

Three in ten Inuit have postsecondary qualifications

In 2011, 29% of Inuit aged 25 to 64 in Nunavut had a certificate, diploma or degree from a trade school, college or university. The comparable percentage for their non-Aboriginal counterparts was 80%.
Among those with postsecondary credentials, Inuit were more likely than non-Aboriginal graduates to have completed programs below the bachelor’s level (trades or college programs).
There was also a difference in the proportion of Inuit and non-Aboriginal people with “no certificate, diploma or degree”. In 2011, 60% of Inuit aged 25 to 64 did not have a certificate, diploma or degree. The corresponding percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 5%.

Table 3
Highest level of educational attainment of population aged 25 to 64, by selected Aboriginal identity group, Nunavut, 2011 Table summary
This table displays the results of Highest level of educational attainment of population aged 25 to 64 Inuit single identity and Non-Aboriginal identity population, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent
	Inuit single identity	Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Table 3 Note 1}
No certificate, diploma or degree	59.7	5.1
High school diploma or equivalent	11.6	14.8
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree	28.8	80.2
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	10.9	7.2
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma	15.2	22.0
University certificate or diploma below bachelor level^{Table 3 Note 2}	0.9	3.5
University certificate, diploma or degree at bachelor level or above	1.8	47.4
Note 1. The non-Aboriginal identity population excludes those who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status. Return to table 3 note 1 referrer Note 2. Comparisons with other data sources suggest that the category “University certificate or diploma below bachelor level” was overreported in the National Household Survey (NHS). The results for this category should be interpreted with caution. For more information on concepts and data quality, refer to the NHS reference guides and Education Reference Guide on the Statistics Canada website. Return to table 3 note 2 referrer Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

Employment rates and median total income increase with education

In 2011, the employment rate of Inuit aged 25 to 64 in Nunavut who did not have a certificate, diploma or degree was 44.2%. Employment rates were higher for those with further education. For example, the employment rate of Inuit with postsecondary credentials was 69.1%.

Table 4
Employment rate of population aged 25 to 64, by highest level of educational attainment, selected Aboriginal identity group, Nunavut, 2011 Table summary
This table displays the results of Employment rate of population aged 25 to 64 Inuit single identity and Non-Aboriginal identity population, calculated using employment rate (percent) units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	employment rate (percent)
	Inuit single identity	Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Table 4 Note 1}
Total	53.9	92.7
No certificate, diploma or degree	44.2	76.5
High school diploma or equivalent	66.4	92.0
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree	69.1	94.0
Note 1. The non-Aboriginal identity population excludes those who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status. Return to table 4 note 1 referrer Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

Median total income^{Note 4} was also higher for those with higher education levels. Among Inuit aged 25 to 64, median total income (rounded to the nearest $1,000) ranged from $21,000 for those with no certificate, diploma or degree to $47,000 for those with postsecondary credentials.

About four in ten Inuit rated their health as excellent or very good

Based on results of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, just over four in ten (42%) Inuit aged 12 and older in Nunavut rated their health as excellent or very good in 2012.

Chart 1 Excellent or very good self-rated overall health of population aged 12 and over, by selected Aboriginal identity group and age group, Nunavut, 2012, percent

Description for Chart 1

The title of the graph is "Chart 1 Excellent or very good self-rated overall health of population aged 12 and over, by selected Aboriginal identity group and age group, Nunavut, 2012."
This is a column clustered chart.
There are in total 2 categories in the horizontal axis. The vertical axis starts at 0 and ends at 85 with ticks every 10 points.
There are 4 series in this graph.
The vertical axis is "percent."
The horizontal axis is "Aboriginal identity groups."
The title of series 1 is "Total."
The minimum value is 42.4 and it corresponds to "Inuit."
The maximum value is 58.0 and it corresponds to "Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Chart 1 Note 1}."
The title of series 2 is "12 to 24 years."
The minimum value is 56.5 and it corresponds to "Inuit."
The maximum value is 76.5^E and it corresponds to "Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Chart 1 Note 1}."
The title of series 3 is "25 to 44 years."
The minimum value is 40.2 and it corresponds to "Inuit."
The maximum value is 70.4 and it corresponds to "Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Chart 1 Note 1}."
The title of series 4 is "45 years and over."
The minimum value is 23.4 and it corresponds to "Inuit."
The maximum value is 39.5^E and it corresponds to "Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Chart 1 Note 1}."

Data table for Chart 1 Chart 1
Excellent or very good self-rated overall health of population aged 12 and over, by selected Aboriginal identity group and age group, Nunavut, 2012, percent
Table summary
This table displays the results of Excellent or very good self-rated overall health of population aged 12 and over Total, 12 to 24 years, 25 to 44 years and 45 years and over (appearing as column headers).
	Total	12 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 years and over
Inuit	42.4	56.5	40.2	23.4
Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Chart 1 Note 1}	58.0	76.5^{Note E: Use with caution}	70.4	39.5^{Note E: Use with caution}
^E use with caution Note 1. The non-Aboriginal identity population excludes those who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status. Return to chart 1 note 1 referrer Sources: Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012; and Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012.

Almost half (47%) of Inuit aged 18 and older reported excellent or very good mental health^{Note 5} compared with 81% for the non-Aboriginal population.^{Note 6}
Just over one-third (36%) of Inuit 12 and older reported that they had been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition. The corresponding percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 52%.
Among Inuit, commonly reported conditions included arthritis excluding fibromyalgia (10%) and high blood pressure (9%).

Table 5
Excellent or very good self-rated mental health of population aged 18 and over, by selected Aboriginal identity group and age group, Nunavut, 2012 Table summary
This table displays the results of Excellent or very good self-rated mental health of population aged 18 and over Inuit and Non-Aboriginal identity population, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent
	Inuit	Non-Aboriginal identity population^{Table 5 Note 1}
Total	47.1	81.3
18 to 24	49.6	81.0^{Table 5 Note E: Use with caution}
25 to 44	45.0	80.1
45 and over	48.5	82.7
^E use with caution Note 1. The non-Aboriginal identity population excludes those who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status. Return to table 5 note 1 referrer Sources: Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012; and Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012.

About six in ten Inuit smoked daily

In 2012, 59% of Inuit aged 12 and older in Nunavut reported that they smoked daily. At ages 25 to 44, 71% of Inuit reported daily smoking.
For those 12 and older, the rate of heavy drinking (five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the 12 months preceding the survey) was 36% for Inuit. At the same time, half of Inuit aged 12 and older were non-drinkers; that is, consumed no alcohol in the 12 months preceding the survey.

Table 6
Selected health behaviours of Inuit population aged 12 and over, by selected age group, Nunavut, 2012 Table summary
This table displays the results of Selected health behaviours of Inuit population aged 12 and over percent (appearing as column headers).
Total
	percent
Daily smoking	58.7
Heavy drinking^Note 1	36.4
Non-drinking	49.6
12 to 24
Daily smoking	51.0
Heavy drinking	32.3
Non-drinking	60.0
25 to 44
Daily smoking	71.2
Heavy drinking	40.3
Non-drinking	34.3
45 and over
Daily smoking	51.5
Heavy drinking	32.8^{Note E: Use with caution}
Non-drinking	57.1
^E use with caution Note 1. Heavy drinking refers to the consumption of five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the 12 months preceding the survey. Return to table 6 note 1 referrer Sources: Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012; and Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012.

This fact sheet was prepared by Paula Arriagada of the Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division of Statistics Canada.

Notes

Footnote 1.

While the National Household Survey (NHS) counts for the First Nations and Métis populations in Nunavut are provided here, data for other characteristics are not included because of the small numbers living in the territory.

Return to note 1 referrer

Footnote 2.

This includes people who reported having Registered Indian status and/or being members of an Indian band or First Nation without reporting an Aboriginal identity.

Return to note 2 referrer

Footnote 3.

A number of factors should be taken into account when comparing data on Aboriginal people over time. Please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011, Catalogue no. 99-011-X2011006 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, Catalogue no. 99-011-X.

Return to note 3 referrer

Footnote 4.

Total income includes income from all sources, including employment income, income from government programs, pension income, investment income and any other money income. The calculation includes population with income and without income (with an income of zero).

Return to note 4 referrer

Footnote 5.

Questions on self-rated mental health were only asked of respondents who were providing answers to the survey directly, on their own behalf (i.e., data are not available when questionnaires were completed by proxy interview).

Return to note 5 referrer

Footnote 6.

Health data for the non-Aboriginal identity population were drawn from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey.

Return to note 6 referrer

Date modified:: 2016-03-29

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Inuit: Fact Sheet for Nunavut Inuit: Fact Sheet for Nunavut

Archived Content

About the data sources

Aboriginal people account for the majority of the population in Nunavut

Inuit population younger than non-Aboriginal

Two-thirds of Inuit children live with both parents

Four in ten Inuit live in crowded homes

Nine in ten Inuit report ability to speak an Aboriginal language

Three in ten Inuit have postsecondary qualifications

Employment rates and median total income increase with education

About four in ten Inuit rated their health as excellent or very good

About six in ten Inuit smoked daily

Inuit: Fact Sheet for Nunavut Inuit: Fact Sheet for Nunavut

Archived Content

Aboriginal people account for the majority of the population in Nunavut

Inuit population younger than non-Aboriginal

Two-thirds of Inuit children live with both parents

Four in ten Inuit live in crowded homes

Nine in ten Inuit report ability to speak an Aboriginal language

Three in ten Inuit have postsecondary qualifications

Employment rates and median total income increase with education

About four in ten Inuit rated their health as excellent or very good

About six in ten Inuit smoked daily

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