Why Did Employment and Earnings Rise among Lone Mothers in Canada during the 1980s and 1990s?

John Myles, Feng Hou, Garnett Picot and Karen Myers

Canadian Public Policy, 2007, vol. 33, issue 2, pages 147-172

Abstract: Employment rates and earnings among Canadian lone mothers have improved significantly since 1980. Using microdata from the Census of Canada, we show that these changes were mainly the result of two major demographic developments: the postwar revolution in women's educational attainment, and the aging of the "baby boom" which amplified the effect of rising levels of educational attainment. Most of these gains, moreover, went to older lone mothers. While changes in the social policy environment were undoubtedly a contributing factor, their potential explanatory contribution is comparatively modest relative to these large demographic shifts. Since the demographic drivers underlying these gains are now nearing maturity, future gains from this source are likely to be modest by comparison.

Date: 2007

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