Economic family structure (for economic family)

Status: This standard was approved as a departmental standard on July 31, 2026.

Definition

Economic family structure refers to the relationships between the members of an economic family. Classification on this variable considers the presence or absence of married spouses or common-law partners, children, and other relatives.

Economic family refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same household and are related to each other through biological, couple, adoptive or foster relationships.

Examples of an economic family include two co-resident census families who are related to one another, co-resident siblings who are not members of a census family, or a niece or nephew living with their aunt or uncle.

All members of a given census family belong to the same economic family, as well as any other household members who are related to at least one member of the census family. In households with no census families present, all related persons in the household form an economic family.

Derivation

'Economic family structure' is derived from responses to questions about the relationships among the people who live in the household. To determine the structure of economic families, a family reference person must first be identified through procedures specific to the particular survey.

All members of a given census family belong to the same economic family, as well as any other household members who are related to at least one member of the census family. In households with no census families present, all related persons in the household form an economic family.

Conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards

There are no relevant internationally recognized standards.

Classifications

Relation to previous version

  • Economic family structure (for economic family) July 31, 2026 to current

    The definition and derivation of the concept of "economic family structure" have been modified, as have the definition of the statistical unit and several definitions in the classification.

  • Economic family structure (for economic family) May 26, 2021 to July 30, 2026

    The definition of the statistical unit and the classification have been modified, as has the definition of the concept in French.

  • Economic family structure of economic family November 16, 2015 to May 25, 2021

    This is an update of 'Family structure of economic family'. The definition and derivation have been simplified by making the concept specific to economic families. The concept has been renamed "Economic family structure".

    The two methods for deriving economic family characteristics have been included.

  • Family structure of economic family October 22, 2007 to November 15, 2015

    'Family structure of economic family' is incorporated within the classification of the previous standard, Economic family structure. The current standards take a more simplified approach, presenting each classification dimension as a separate concept. This approach provides greater conceptual and definitional clarity while simultaneously allowing users more flexibility in constructing whatever more complex, multidimensional classifications meet their needs for data presentation.

  • Economic family structure July 15, 1998 to October 21, 2007
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