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

Hennessy's Index is a monthly listing of numbers, written by the CCPA's Trish Hennessy, about Canada and its place in the world. Scroll down for a PDF version.  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)