Economic Issues for Older Aboriginal People – what story can/does the data tell?

Economic Issues for Older Economic Issues for Older Aboriginal People – what Aboriginal People – what

story can/does the data tell?story can/does the data tell?Lori J. Curtis, PhDLori J. Curtis, PhD

Canada Research Chair in Health Economics and TechnologyCanada Research Chair in Health Economics and TechnologyDepartment of EconomicsDepartment of Economics

University of WaterlooUniversity of Waterloo

Aboriginal Experiences in Aging SymposiumAboriginal Experiences in Aging SymposiumSeptember 17-19September 17-19

Acknowledge SEDAP, SSHRC, CFI fundingAcknowledge SEDAP, SSHRC, CFI funding

Why do I ask – What story Why do I ask – What story can/does the data tell us?can/does the data tell us?

Data Sources on Aboriginal Peoples are scarceData Sources on Aboriginal Peoples are scarce

Census (1991, 1996, 2001, 2006):Census (1991, 1996, 2001, 2006):

‘‘The objective of the census is to provide detailed information, at a single The objective of the census is to provide detailed information, at a single point in time, on the demographic, social and economic conditions of the point in time, on the demographic, social and economic conditions of the population of Canada. During collection of information from the entire population of Canada. During collection of information from the entire population on Census Day, a small percentage is inevitably not counted. population on Census Day, a small percentage is inevitably not counted. Undercoverage is considerably higher among Aboriginal people than among Undercoverage is considerably higher among Aboriginal people than among other segments of the population due to the fact that enumeration was not other segments of the population due to the fact that enumeration was not permitted, or was interrupted before it could be completed. These permitted, or was interrupted before it could be completed. These geographic areas are called 'incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and geographic areas are called 'incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and settlements.' Data are not available for incompletely enumerated Indian settlements.' Data are not available for incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and settlements. reserves and settlements.

Public release data does not include a geographic indicator for on/off-Public release data does not include a geographic indicator for on/off-reserve (includes whether or not the person is registered/band Indian).reserve (includes whether or not the person is registered/band Indian).

2006 data has not been released – limited information is available from 2006 data has not been released – limited information is available from Statistics Canada profiles.Statistics Canada profiles.

Why do I ask – What story Why do I ask – What story can/does the data tell us?can/does the data tell us?

Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) (1991, 2001, 2006):Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) (1991, 2001, 2006):

The Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) provides data on The Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) provides data on the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal people the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal people in Canada. Its specific purpose was to identify the needs in Canada. Its specific purpose was to identify the needs of Aboriginal people focusing on issues such as health, of Aboriginal people focusing on issues such as health, language, employment, income, schooling, housing, and language, employment, income, schooling, housing, and mobility. The survey was designed and implemented in mobility. The survey was designed and implemented in partnership with national Aboriginal organizations. partnership with national Aboriginal organizations.

APS 1991 – Adult Microdata publicly availableAPS 1991 – Adult Microdata publicly available APS 2001 – Only data Off-Reserve Adults (important APS 2001 – Only data Off-Reserve Adults (important

SES variables grouped differently from APS1991 so SES variables grouped differently from APS1991 so cannot compare over time)cannot compare over time)

APS 2006 – not yet available – no coverage of reserves APS 2006 – not yet available – no coverage of reserves

Does the data say the same thing?Does the data say the same thing?

1991 Census groups – 1991 Census groups – All people who report Aboriginal ancestry (1)All people who report Aboriginal ancestry (1) People Registered Under Indian ActPeople Registered Under Indian Act (2)(2)

APS 1991 groups – APS 1991 groups – All people surveyed All people surveyed (3)(3) People Registered Under Indian ActPeople Registered Under Indian Act (4)(4) People living On-ReservePeople living On-Reserve (5)(5) People living Off-ReservePeople living Off-Reserve (6)(6)

Compare Aboriginal Peoples Survey 1991 (APS Compare Aboriginal Peoples Survey 1991 (APS 1991) to 1991 Census for selected ages 1991) to 1991 Census for selected ages Compare (1) to (3) (graphs shown)Compare (1) to (3) (graphs shown) Compare (2) to (4)Compare (2) to (4) Compare (1) to (6)Compare (1) to (6)

Compare 1991 Census to 1991 APS All Aboriginals 50-64 years

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

<$10,000 $10K-$20K $20K-$40K $40K Plus

Income

Per

cen

t

CEN_M50 CEN_F50 APS_M50 APS_F50

Author's calculations from 1991 Public Release APS and Census

Compare 1991 Census to 1991 APS All Aboriginals 50-64 years

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

< highschool highschool Post Sec University

Education

Per

cen

t

CEN_M50 CEN_F50 APS_M50 APS_F50Author's calculations from 1991 Public Release APS and Census

Compare 1991 Census to 1991 APS - All Aboriginals 50-64 years

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

employed unemployed Not LF

Labour Force Participation

Per

cen

t

CEN_M50 CEN_F50 APS_M50 APS_F50

Author's calculations from 1991 Public Release APS and Census

Compare 1991 Census to 1991 APS - All Aboriginals 65 plus years

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

<$10,000 $10K-$20K $20K-$40K $40K Plus

Income

Per

cen

t



0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

< highschool highschool Post Sec University

Education

Per

cen

t



0

20

40

60

80

100

120

employed unemployed Not LF

Labour Force Participation

Per

cen

t


Does the data say the same thing?Does the data say the same thing? All Aboriginals – Compared APS 1991 to the Census All Aboriginals – Compared APS 1991 to the Census

under-reports low income, low education and unemployment of under-reports low income, low education and unemployment of Aboriginal peopleAboriginal people

over-reports mid to higher income, higher education and employment of over-reports mid to higher income, higher education and employment of Aboriginal peopleAboriginal people

Census provides optimistic version of Aboriginal Socio-economic status Census provides optimistic version of Aboriginal Socio-economic status (SES) for All Aboriginals (SES) for All Aboriginals

Any gaps between non-Aboriginals and Aboriginals represents lower Any gaps between non-Aboriginals and Aboriginals represents lower bound (likely bigger)bound (likely bigger)

Registered Indians – Compared APS 1991 to the Census Registered Indians – Compared APS 1991 to the Census Reporting patterns similar but fewer significant differencesReporting patterns similar but fewer significant differences Likely more representative but samples small and difficult to subdivide Likely more representative but samples small and difficult to subdivide

into age groups into age groups

APS 1991 Off-reserve – Compared APS 1991 to the Census APS 1991 Off-reserve – Compared APS 1991 to the Census Reporting patterns similar but fewer significant differencesReporting patterns similar but fewer significant differences Fairly representative of off-reserve aboriginalsFairly representative of off-reserve aboriginals

Age Distribution from Census

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

1991 1996 2001 1991 1996 2001

Year

Pro

po

rtio

n

age3544 age4554 age5564 age6574 age7584 age85

Non-Aboriginal Population

Aboriginal Population

EconomyEconomyUnemployment rate - 25 years and over

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Rat

e

All Males Females

Source - Statistics Canada Cansim Series v2170273, v2170281, v2170289

Proportion of Age Group below LICO2000

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85 plus

Age group

pro

po

rtio

n

NA 91 NA 96 NA 01 A 91 A 96 A 01Source - Author's CalculationsCensus 1991, 996, 2001

Proportion Males below LICO2000

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85 plus

Age Group

Pro

po

rtio

n


Proportion Females below LICO2000

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85 plus

Age Group

Pro

po

rtio

n


Proportion below LICO2000

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Yea

r

1991 1996 2001 A1991 A1996 A2001Source - Author's CalculationsCensus 1991, 996, 2001

Proportion Males below LICO200

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Ye

ar


Proportion Females under LICO

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

0.5

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Pro

po

rtio

n


Total Personal Income

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Mea

n $

1991

1991 1996 2001 A1991 A1996 A2001

Income from Work Pensions

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Mea

n $

1991


Income from Government Sources

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Mea

n $

1991


Home in Need of Major Repairs

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Pro

po

rtio

n


Crowding by Birth Cohort

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Birth Cohort

Pro

po

rtio

n

1991 1996 2001 A91 A96 A01

Source - Author's CalculationsCensus 1991, 996, 2001

Proportion Renting Home (includes Band housing)

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Pro

po

rtio

n


Proportion Speaking Neither Official Language

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

50-54 (91) 55-64 (91) 65-69 (91) 70-74 (91) 75-79 (91) 80-84 (91) 85PL (91)

Cohort

Pro

po

rtio

n


What story does the data tell us?What story does the data tell us?

Aboriginals fair more poorly on Socio-economic indicators than do Aboriginals fair more poorly on Socio-economic indicators than do Non-Aboriginals – almost always they are substantially worse off in Non-Aboriginals – almost always they are substantially worse off in these data (recall compared to APS91 Census provided an these data (recall compared to APS91 Census provided an optimistic view of Aboriginal peoples circumstances)optimistic view of Aboriginal peoples circumstances)

Females are worse off in both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal groupsFemales are worse off in both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal groups

Relative differences have diminished for some indicators over time Relative differences have diminished for some indicators over time but the convergence seems to be due to the worsening of Non-but the convergence seems to be due to the worsening of Non-Aboriginal conditions rather than bettering of Aboriginal Aboriginal conditions rather than bettering of Aboriginal circumstances (e.g. LICO)circumstances (e.g. LICO)

The older Aboriginal groups are in particularly poor circumstances The older Aboriginal groups are in particularly poor circumstances when examining many indicators of SES.when examining many indicators of SES.

Better data would allow us to better describe the economic Better data would allow us to better describe the economic circumstances of Aboriginal Peoples, particularly those living on circumstances of Aboriginal Peoples, particularly those living on reserve.reserve.

What story does the data tell us?What story does the data tell us?

thank you for your attention.thank you for your attention.

Documents

Economic Issues for Older Aboriginal People – what story can/does the data tell?