The International Study of Adults (ISA) has been designed to gain insight into the abilities of adults, such as reading, finding information, using computers and technology, and to learn about their education and work experience.
This information will be used to identify knowledge gaps, develop training and courses in schools across the country, and assist governments, researchers and educators to plan programs that improve the skills of all Canadians.
Results from the study will also be used to compare Canada to other countries who are conducting a similar study.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
Collection period:
Collection methods:
Survey participation:
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
Data sharing agreements
Statistics Canada may enter into agreements to share the information from the interviews conducted as part of this study with Canadian and international partners. By signing an agreement, each organization agrees to keep your information confidential and use it only for statistical purposes. Names, addresses and telephone numbers will not be shared.
Canadian partners:
- Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC)
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
- Provincial and territorial ministries responsible for education, training, and skills development
- Provincial and territorial statistical agencies
International partners:
- Education Testing Service (ETS)
- GESIS-ZUMA, Centre for Survey Research and Methodology
- International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA)
- Westat
Record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and reduce response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.
Topics covered in the survey
The survey asks questions about
- demographic and language background
- education
- employment
- skills used at work and daily life
- personal traits and attributes
- participation in social life
The exercises ask questions about
- literacy
- numeracy
- adaptive problem solving
Published data
Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.
Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.
Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.
Survey-specific questions
- What is the International Study of Adults (ISA)?
- Why is Statistics Canada conducting this survey?
- What do I have to do?
- How long will the survey take?
- How many countries are participating?
- What is the difference between PIAAC and ISA?
- When will the results of this survey be published? How can I get a copy of the results?
- Why should I participate in this survey? How will it benefit me?
- How was I selected for this survey?
- Can you not choose someone else for this survey?
- I am not from a typical family. Would someone else not be more useful?
- Am I obligated to take part in this survey?
- Am I going to be paid to participate in this study?
- Is my information kept confidential?
- How can I obtain a copy of the Statistics Act?
- Does the government not already have access to this information?
- Why should I help the Government of Canada or Statistics Canada?
What is the International Study of Adults (ISA)?
The International Study of Adults (ISA) is a comprehensive international survey that has been designed to gain insight into the abilities of adults consistently across 32 participating countries. It is a collaboration between several national and international groups, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The study will focus on the key abilities and experiences that are required for individuals to participate successfully in the economy, and will look at how this affects society as a whole.
Why is Statistics Canada conducting this survey?
The study will provide valuable information to educators, policymakers and educational researchers on the current skills and experiences of Canadian adults. In addition, it will help to develop programs to improve the skills that adults in Canada need in order to participate more successfully in today's economy and society.
What do I have to do?
The International Study of Adults consists of two main parts: the first part of the survey is a questionnaire that will ask about your education, work experience, technology use and other relevant information. For the second part, you will be given a tablet and asked to complete an exercise on some everyday activities, such as following instructions on a prescription label, reading a flight schedule at the airport, using a map to find directions or determining the expiration date of a food product.
How long will the survey take?
This survey takes about 90 minutes to 120 minutes to complete. Not all questions apply to all households, so the completion time will vary.
How many countries are participating?
In 2022-2023, 32 countries will be participating in the collection of the International Study of Adults. They are:
Australia, Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (England) and the United States.
What is the difference between PIAAC and ISA?
The official study name is the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). Each country can use their own survey name. In Canada, the name "the International Study of Adults (ISA)" is used during collection.
When will the results of this survey be published? How can I get a copy of the results?
The results from the main survey will be made available in The Daily, Statistics Canada's official release bulletin, in the fall of 2024. All personal identifiers will be removed from the results, and the data will be aggregated and available as statistical summaries.
Why should I participate in this survey? How will it benefit me?
Your participation in this study will help ensure Canada is:
- preparing for future learning demands
- providing the skills Canadians need to succeed at work
- shaping a new path for technological advancement
- understanding how Canada's adult population is faring in comparison to other countries
How was I selected for this survey?
The International Study of Adults is a dwelling-based survey. This means that households from across Canada were chosen at random to participate. Once information was gathered from all people living in a home, an individual between the ages of 16 and 65 was chosen to participate in the interview.
Can you not choose someone else for this survey?
No. For the results to be accurate, Statistics Canada must interview only those households and individuals that have been randomly selected. Your answers will represent the answers of many other households and individuals. If you cannot be interviewed, the households and individuals you represent in the sample will not be reflected in the results of the survey.
I am not from a typical family. Would someone else not be more useful?
This survey needs responses from all types of households. The results of this survey are important to obtain a complete and accurate picture of the adult skills and competencies in all regions of Canada. Your responses ensure that your type of household (e.g., single individual, single-parent family, retired couple) is well represented in the survey results and in the decisions that are made using those results.
Am I obligated to take part in this survey?
While your participation is voluntary, your household has been selected to represent a number of other households in your area. To ensure that all households are represented, it is necessary that we interview all selected households. Because you cannot be replaced as a respondent, if you choose not to participate, the results of this survey will be less accurate. This will affect the quality of information available to make informed policy, resource and business decisions that affect all Canadians. Therefore, your participation is very important.
In addition, some ISA participants will be randomly selected for the purpose of quality control of data collection. They will be contacted to answer some questions. These follow-ups will take place during the ISA collection period and participation will also be voluntary although very useful to ensure data quality.
Am I going to be paid to participate in this study?
Statistics Canada is very conscious of the costs involved in conducting surveys. We are currently conducting a pilot aimed at compensating selected respondents $50 for expenses incurred (i.e., loss of wages, temporary childcare), after completing the study. A sample of respondents have been randomly selected from across the country to take part in this pilot. There are currently no plans to expand the pilot to other surveys. In exceptional circumstances only, does Statistics Canada offer compensation.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. All information collected by Statistics Canada is strictly confidential and protected by the Statistics Act. This act states that Statistics Canada cannot release any information that would identify you or any member of your household. Furthermore, this information cannot be made available under any other law, not even the Access to Information Act.
To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.
How can I obtain a copy of the Statistics Act?
A paper copy of the Statistics Act is available at the Statistics Canada Library and at many other libraries in Canada. An electronic version of the Statistics Act is available online.
Does the government not already have access to this information?
No. The International Study of Adults is the only Statistics Canada survey with the abilities of adults as the main focus. This survey is very important to obtain a complete and accurate picture of people living in Canada.
Why should I help the Government of Canada or Statistics Canada?
Your participation will ensure that you and individuals like you are not overlooked when current and future governments are making policy decisions based on these data.