Facts and stats

Overview

  • 1.5M
    students at Canadian universities

    Universities welcomed approximately 1.16 million full-time and 421 thousand part-time students to campus in fall 2023.

    Source: Fall enrolment survey, Universities Canada, 2023.
  • $45.1B
    added to the Canadian economy

    As a $45.1 billion enterprise in direct expenditures, universities are significant drivers of economic prosperity. They provide employment for close to 410,000 people.

    Source: Expenditures of universities by type of expenditures and funds (Table 37-10-0027-01), Statistics Canada, 2024.
  • 115%
    increase in jobs requiring a bachelor's degree

    Since 2015, jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree increased by 115%. Jobs requiring higher qualifications increased by 170%.

    Source: Jobs, vacancies, proportion of job vacancies and average hourly wage (Table 14-10-0328-01), Statistics Canada, 2023.

Data tables

Indigenous education

Universities are closing the gap for Indigenous students

  • 9.4%
    Indigenous population increase

    From 2016 to 2021, the Indigenous population in Canada grew 9.4%, almost twice the pace of Canada’s non-Indigenous population growth.

    Source: Canada’s Indigenous population, Statistics Canada, 2023.
  • 114K
    additional graduates

    There could be 114,070 additional First Nations post-secondary graduates if we work to close the education gap by 2041.

    Source: First Nations Post-Secondary Students Fact Sheet, Assembly of First Nations, 2023.
  • $233B
    economic gain

    If we close the education gap, Canada could see an economic gain of $233 billion.

    Source: First Nations Post-Secondary Students Fact Sheet, Assembly of First Nations, 2023.

Work-ready skills

Universities are providing students with career-boosting opportunities

  • 88%
    feel prepared

    88% of students say their courses will positively impact their ability to secure a job in their field of study.

    Source: Moving Mountains: Student Resilience Against the Cost of Living Pressures, Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, 2023.
  • 74%
    benefit from work-integrated learning

    74% of bachelor’s students who participated in a work-integrated learning opportunity said it helped them find a job after graduation.

    Source: Work-integrated learning participation during postsecondary education (Table 37-10-0249-01, Statistics Canada, 2024.
  • 24%
    more earnings

    Graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn on average $68.3 thousand dollars per year, 24% more than the national average income.

    Source: Employment income statistics by highest level of education (Table 98-10-0411-01), Statistics Canada, 2023.

Research and innovation

Universities are positioning Canada as a global leader in research and innovation

  • $17B
    in R&D

    Universities performed $17 billion in research and development in 2023, accounting for 35 percent of total Canadian research and development.

    Source: Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (Table 27-10-0273-01), Statistics Canada, 2023.
  • 300
    patents in 2022

    University research institutes issued over 300 patents in 2022 alone.

    Source: Licensing Activity Survey, AUTM, 2022.
  • 875
    startups founded

    875 startup companies dedicated to commercializing technologies developed at Canadian universities and research institutions.

    Source: Licensing Activity Survey, AUTM, 2022.

Climate innovation

Universities are equipping Canada for a more efficient future

  • 7K
    climate researchers

    There are over 7,000 climate researchers at Canadian universities.

    Source: Study of members on climate research, Universities Canada, 2024.
  • 70
    research centres and institutes

    Over 70 climate-related research centres and institutes are spread across the country.

    Source: Survey of members on climate strategies, Universities Canada, 2023.
  • 40
    campuses as living labs

    Over 40 Canadian universities use their campuses to research and test innovative sustainability practices and technologies while providing students with hands-on learning experiences.

    Source: Study of members on climate research, Universities Canada, 2024.

Student services

Universities are supporting students holistically throughout their academic journeys

  • 93%
    provide university residence

    93% of Universities Canada member institutions provide residence options for students.

    Source: Internal housing review, Universities Canada, 2023.
  • 50%
    access campus mental health services

    50% of students access their university’s mental health services.

    Source: The New Abnormal: Student Mental Health Two Years Into COVID-19, Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, 2022.
  • 5.6K
    work-integrated learning programs

    80 universities across Canada offer over 5,600 work-integrated learning programs (including co-ops, apprenticeships and internships).

    Source: 2023 Data Report, CEWIL Canada, 2023.

Studying across borders

Universities are developing students with cross-cultural skills and adaptability

  • 62%
    of study abroad participants found career direction

    62% of participants found studying abroad provided direction for their post-graduation plans.

    Source: Canada and the World: Results of the CBIE Learning Abroad Survey Initiative, Canadian Bureau for International Education, 2024.
  • 84%
    found increased global networks

    84% of study abroad participants increased their professional network outside of Canada.

    Source: Canada and the World: Results of the CBIE Learning Abroad Survey Initiative, Canadian Bureau for International Education, 2024.
  • 89%
    feel more adaptable

    89% of study abroad participants feel more adaptable in diverse contexts due to their international experience.

    Source: Canada and the World: Results of the CBIE Learning Abroad Survey Initiative, Canadian Bureau for International Education, 2024.
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