Canada vs. the OECD

Hennessy's Index: A number is never just a number

Hennessy's Index

Hennessy's Index is a monthly listing of numbers, written by the CCPA's Trish Hennessy, about Canada and its place in the world. For other months, visit: http://policyalternatives.ca/index

  • 34

    Number of countries with membership in the OECD (Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development), created in 1961. Canada is among them. (Source)

  • 80.7

    Average life expectancy at birth in Canada, one year more than the average of OECD nations. Average life expectancy for Canadian women after retirement: 21 years. It’s 15 for men. (Source 1, 2)

  • 1.66

    Canada’s fertility rate (children per woman). Lower than the OECD average of 1.74. (Source)

  • 1 in 5

    Number of foreign-born Canadians, nearly double the OECD average. (Source)

  • 84

    Percentage of Canadians, on average, who report the highest community tolerance of ethnic minorities, migrants, gays and lesbians. Higher than the OECD average of 61 per cent. (Source)

  • 320

    Minutes of paid work or study, per day, reported by Canadians. Higher than the OECD average of 277 minutes per day. (Source)

  • +2.3

    Percent change in Canada’s unemployment rate, 2007-09. Higher than the +2.1 OECD average. (Source)

  • 16

    Percent of Canadians finding it difficult or very difficult to live on their current income in 2010. Lower than the OECD average of 24 percent.(Source)

  • 85

    Percentage of jobless households with children in Canada who are poor. Much higher than the OECD average of 53 per cent. (Source)

  • 1

    Percentage of Canadians who reported falling victim to assault over a 12-month period, lower than the OECD average of four percent.(Source)

  • 17

    Percentage of Canadians who feel unsafe on the street after dark, much lower than the OECD average of 26 per cent. (Source)

Author(s): 
July 1, 2011
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