Black History Month by the Numbers – Employment and Disability
In 2021, Canada’s Black population reached 1.5 million, accounting for 4.3% of the total population and 16.1% of the racialized population. The Black population in Canada continues to grow and is expected to reach more than 3 million by 2041.
Canada’s Black Population is Diverse
Almost 41% of the Black population in Canada is Canadian born. Of those born outside of Canada:
- 55.3% were born in countries in Africa, and
- 35.6% in the Caribbean and Bermuda.
The Black population in Canada identifies with more than 300 ethnic or cultural origins.
In 2017, about 136,600 Black persons experienced disability, accounting for 15.8% of the Black population over 15 years old.
About one-third (32.4%) of the Black population aged 25 to 64 holds a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is comparable to the total Canadian working-age population (32.9%).
Employment and Earnings Inequality
From October to December 2023, the employment rate of the Black population in Canada aged 25 to 54 (core age) was 78.9%, a decrease from December 2022 (80.6%).
Higher Unemployment Rate
Core-aged Black men had a higher unemployment rate (9.2%) than core-aged Black women 7.8%. These rates were significantly higher compared to the core-aged total Canadian population (men 4.8% and women 4.2%).
Lower Median Income
In 2020, the median income of Black individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher was $50,000, compared to $70,000 for the non-racialized population.
Black Men (81.4%) and Black Women (76.4%)
had lower employment rates than the averages for all Canadian men (87.7%) and women (81.8%).
The Canadian-born Black population work in lower-level occupations relative to their education and are less likely to have full time, full year work, compared to the non-racialized third-generation or more population.
Photo Credit: Disability:IN
“I think being around people who are Black, specifically as a Black woman, is huge. And I don’t see that, much. I’m mainly with white people all the time. And so, it made a difference culturally.
“I didn’t have to explain my Blackness to her [her manager who was also a Black woman]. She understood, so now I could just be myself… But with her, she actually would say to me, if you’re not doing okay, it’s okay. If you miss a class reschedule, it’s okay. She’s asking me, how do I help you succeed?
“No one’s ever asked me that in other workplaces, ‘How do I help you succeed?’ It’s always me like, ‘How can I help?’ So you can see me.”
BIPOC-D Job Seeker who participated in CASE’s Diversity Works research project
Business Ownership
The share of Black business owners increased since 2005 for both women and men, signalling a growing trend in Black business ownership in Canada.
2018
About 66,880 Black Canadian business owners
(2.1% of all business owners)
References
StatCan. Black History Month 2024… by the numbers. Accessed February 16, 2024.