In April 2018, following extensive engagement with the Canadian population, Statistics Canada published new statistical standards on gender and sex at birth.
Based on this new standard, the 2021 Census collected data on sex at birth and gender. Results from this census therefore provide a more detailed portrait of the population.
Sex at birth and gender refer to two different, but interrelated, concepts.
Sex at birth refers to the sex assigned at birth based on a person’s reproductive system and other physical characteristics. Gender refers to an individual’s personal and social identity as a man, woman or non-binary person; it is a multidimensional concept influenced by several factors, including cultural and behavioural norms as well as self-identity.
For many people, their gender corresponds to their sex at birth (i.e., cisgender men and cisgender women). For some, these do not align (i.e., transgender men and transgender women) or their gender is not exclusively “man” or “woman” (i.e., non-binary people).
In 2021, 48.93% of people aged 15 years and older in Canada were men, 50.94% were women, and 0.14% were non-binary. Among those who were men or women, 0.19% were transgender.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).