Share of children living with a single parent in Canada
Canada: Share of children living with a single parent was 19.1% in 2021. ▬ Flat
Share of children living with a single parent in Canada, 2001–2021
Source: OECD (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of children living with a single parent in Canada is 19.1%, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of children living with a single parent in Canada peaked at 20.3% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 18.4%, in 2001.
That places Canada 11th out of 34 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of children living with a single parent in Canada, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 18.4% | — |
| 2006 | 19.2% | +4.6% |
| 2011 | 20.3% | +5.5% |
| 2016 | 19.2% | -5.7% |
| 2021 | 19.1% | -0.3% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 19.1% is above the median for high income countries, which is 17.6%, 1.1× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.8% | 18.4% | 19.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 19.7% | 19.2% | 20.3% | 2 |
| 2020s | 19.1% | 19.1% | 19.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More reference data data for Canada
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 20.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 20.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 6.86 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 7.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 22.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 99.83 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.88 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of children living with a single parent in Canada?
- Share of children living with a single parent in Canada was 19.1% in 2021, according to OECD (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of children living with a single parent recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 20.3% in 2011.
- What is the lowest share of children living with a single parent recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.4% in 2001.
- How does Canada rank for share of children living with a single parent?
- Canada ranks 11th out of 34 countries with data for 2021.
- Is share of children living with a single parent rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from OECD (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of children living with a single parent. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Percentage of children aged 0-17 living with a single parent.