Report: 20% of Canadian teenagers not attending school

Ottawa - Latest figures from Statistics Canada in 2008 show that 20 percent, or 1 in 5, Canadian teenagers are not in school or pursuing an education. The numbers varied across Canada; the number was 35 percent in the Yukon Territory.

As students return to the classroom, Statistics Canada released numbers from 2008 which shows that 20 percent, or 1 in 5, of Canada teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 are not in school. The Territories have significant higher numbers of teenagers not in school than the provinces. The numbers in Canada have remained stagnant since 1998. This was higher than the average 15 percent of the 31 countries part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The numbers varied nationwide: Newfoundland: 20 percent (2004), 18% (2006) and 16 percent (2008). Prince Edward Island: 19 percent (2004), 14% (2006) and 16% (2008). Nova Scotia: 18 percent (2004), 17 percent (2006) and 22 percent (2008). New Brunswick: 18 percent (2004), 17 percent (2006) and 14 percent (2008). Quebec: 24 percent (2004), 21 percent (2006) and 22 percent (2008). Ontario: 18 percent (2004), 17 percent (2006) and 16 percent (2008). Manitoba: 19 percent (2004), 18 percent (2006) and 23 percent (2008). Saskatchewan: 26 percent (2004), 21 percent (2006) and 23 percent (2008). Alberta: 24 percent (2004), 22 percent (2006) and 26 percent (2008). British Columbia: 23 percent (2004), 19 percent (2006) and 21 percent (2008). Yukon Territory: 21 percent (2004), 27 percent (2006) and 33 percent (2008). Northwest Territory: 21 percent (2004), 24 percent (2006) and 24 percent (2008). Nunavut: 33 percent (2004), 27 percent (2006) and 33 percent (2008). Meanwhile, provinces seemed to perform better than others when it comes to integrating teenagers into the workforce without formal education: “In the Western provinces, there is an association between the relatively high employment rates (around 70%) and relatively high proportions of young people aged 15 to 19 not in education,” Statistics Canada said in the report. In certain sectors where there is work shortage, teenagers in that age bracket can fill up the employment needs despite their lack of education. The numbers are especially true during economic growth. Nevertheless, figures still show that those with strong academic credentials earn about 75 percent more than those with high school education or vocational training. The numbers are relatively the same when it comes to employment: 83 percent of college or university graduates are employed whereas 58 percent of those who had not completed high school were employed.