Generation status

Part A - Short definition:

Not applicable

Part B - Detailed definition:

Generation status refers to whether or not the person or the person's parents were born in Canada. It identifies persons as being first generation, second generation or third generation or more.

Reported in:

2011

Reported for:

Population in private households

Question number(s):

Derived variable: Questions 9 and 25 (a) and 25 (b)

Responses:

Not applicable

Remarks:

Generation status is derived from responses to questions concerning the person's place of birth (Question 9) and the place of birth of his or her parents (Question 25).

For more information on the place of birth questions in the 2011 National Household Survey, refer to the definitions of Place of birth of respondent, Place of birth of father and Place of birth of mother.

Within the generation status variable, the three main categories are defined as follows:

'First generation' includes persons who were born outside Canada. For the most part, these are people who are now, or have ever been, immigrants to Canada.

'Second generation' includes persons who were born in Canada and had at least one parent born outside Canada. For the most part, these are the children of immigrants.

'Third generation or more' includes persons who were born in Canada with both parents born in Canada.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of generation status data, refer to the Place of Birth, Generation Status, Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.