Statistics Canada recently released a report on “Wives as Primary Breadwinners”, which has implications for economic development.

One of the most dramatic transformations in the Canadian labour market in recent decades has been the increased participation of married women (unlike in Europe, where there has always been a much higher female labour force participation rate). The reasons for this shift are many:

  • the rise in women’s educational attainment;
  • the increase in their full-time employment rates;
  • and expanded occupational opportunities.

Other reasons, especially for those with children include:

  • increased acceptance of alternative work arrangements (flexible work hours, compressed work schedules and telework);
  • expanded childcare options;
  • and changes in parental leave.

All of the above factors have improved women’s access to better paying jobs and the ability to rise through the ranks. The number of women earning more than their husbands has been steadily increasing over the past three decades.

Primary-earner wives differ from other working wives in many ways:

  • they are typically slightly older;
  • they are more educated than both secondary-earner wives and primary-earner husbands;
  • with a higher education, they have an increased presence in higher paying managerial and professional occupations;
  • they are also less likely to have children of pre-school aged children at home.

Implications for economic development

This trend in women’s participation rates has implications for economic development. Supporting alternative work arrangements and an increase in local day-care options will help to provide women with children with the opportunity to:

  • participate in the labour force;
  • to pursue and achieve advancement in their chosen careers;
  • to more fully contribute to the financial health of their family and community, often contributing much needed skills in tightening labour markets.

Download the full report here.