A review of the full-time enrolment patterns of Canadian university students from Statistics Canada
from 2003 through 2008 reveals some interesting findings. Female student enrolment is consistently higher than male student enrolment. This is not surprising considering the population generally finds slightly higher numbers of females than males, by 2-3 percentage points.
However, the gap in full-time university enrolment by province is more significant than the population demographics would suggest.
In Newfoundland/Labrador the gap ranges from 19% up to 22% more females than males for those five years.
In Prince Edward Island, the gap ranges from 22% up to 34% more females than males for those five years.
In Nova Scotia, the gap ranges from 14% up to 16% more females than males for those five years.
In New Brunswick, the gap remains constant at 16% more females than males for those five years.
In Quebec, the gap remains constant at 12% more females than males for those five years.
In Ontario, the gap ranges from 12% up to 14% more females than males for those five years.
In Manitoba, the gap ranges from 14% up to 16% more females than males for those five years.
In Saskatchewan, the gap ranges from 10% up to 14% more females than males for those five years.
In Alberta, the gap remains constant at 12% more females than males for those five years.
In British Columbia, the gap ranges from 12% up to 14% more females than males for those five years.
Clearly, the gaps in Newfoundland/Labrador (from 19% to 22%) and in Prince Edward Island (from 22% to34%) are significantly higher than all other Canadian provinces.
While Quebec, (12%) and Saskatchewan (10% to 14%) Alberta (12%) and British Columbia (12% to 14%) and Ontario (12% to 14%) provide the smallest gaps.
Speculation as to the reasons for both island provinces having the largest gap (fewest males by percentage) of university students might include more rural, agrarian societies where the male children are more likely to go to work to provide either income or work support for the family, rather than pursuing academic learning.
The slightly larger gap in Manitoba (14% tp 16%) and in New Brunswick (16%) above the remaining provinces might have a similar economic foundation.
