Real gross domestic product essentially unchanged in August
Real gross domestic product was essentially unchanged in August, for a second consecutive month. The retail trade sector rose 1.2% in August, more than offsetting the contraction in July, as most subsectors expanded. The manufacturing sector rose 0.3% in August, up for the fifth time in seven months. Meanwhile, the wholesale trade sector declined 1.4% on widespread contractions across most subsectors.
University graduates continue to have stronger earnings outcomes
In 2025, close to 7 in 10 young adults aged 25 to 34 years with a bachelor's degree or higher (69%) were employed in permanent, full-time positions. This was down from a peak of 71% recorded in 2022. Young university graduates continued to earn more than their counterparts with other levels of education. In 2025, the average hourly wage of young university graduates was $39.18, compared with $34.71 among people with a trades certificate or diploma, $31.39 among those with a diploma or certificate from a community college, CEGEP or equivalent, $28.77 among high school graduates and $26.97 among those without a high school diploma.
Source: Study: How are young Canadian university graduates faring in the recent labour market?
Elementary and secondary school enrolment amid changing immigration levels
Based on Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s planned 2026-to-2028 immigration levels, the number of permanent resident children at the elementary school level is expected to increase from 2026 to 2030, while the number of non-permanent resident children is expected to decline. The net result, compared with 2025, would be a modest decrease of about 2,100 elementary school-aged children by 2030. The changes in immigrant enrolment translate into less than a 1% change—whether increase or decrease—in total enrolment in all provinces by 2030.
Males are more likely to die by suicide than females across all age groups 15 years and older
From 2006 to 2024, among the population aged 15 years and older, the rate of suicide deaths among males (21.1 deaths per 100,000 population) was approximately three times higher than among females (6.6 per 100,000). This difference was most pronounced among adults aged 80 years and older, among whom the rate of suicide deaths for males (23.1 deaths per 100,000 population) was six times higher than the rate for females (3.8 per 100,000). Adults aged 80 years and older are a growing segment of the Canadian population, making it increasingly important to better understand suicide in this age group.
Source: Canadian Coroner and Medical Examiner Database, January 2006 to June 2026
Nearly half of Canadians are caregivers
In 2022, nearly one in two Canadians aged 15 or older reported providing either unpaid or paid care in the previous 12 months for care-dependent adults or children, with women (52%) significantly more likely than men (42%) to provide such care. Furthermore, more than 1 in 20 Canadians (6%) reported “sandwich caregiving,” or providing unpaid care to both children and care-dependent adults. Women (7%) were more likely than men (5%) to report this type of caregiving.
Source: Caring for others: A reality for nearly half of Canadians
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).