Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Work activity during the reference year

Definition

Work activity during the reference year refers to whether or not a person 15 years or over worked during the reference year. For those who did work, this refers to the number of weeks in which the person worked for pay or in self-employment during the reference year at all jobs held, even if only for a few hours, and whether these weeks were mostly full time (30 hours or more per week) or mostly part time (less than 30 hours per week).

Statistical unit(s)

• Person 15 years or over

Classification(s)

• Full-time or part-time weeks worked during the reference year
• Weeks worked during the reference year
• Work activity during the reference year

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, please refer to Appendix 2.1.

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s)

Derived variable: Questions 43, 54a) and 55a)

Responses

Did not work for pay or in self-employment in 2020 (worked before 2020 or never worked)

Did not work for pay or in self-employment in 2020 (worked in 2021)

Worked for pay or in self-employment in 2020:

1 to 13 weeks mostly full-time paid work

1 to 13 weeks mostly part-time paid work

14 to 26 weeks mostly full-time paid work

14 to 26 weeks mostly part-time paid work

27 to 39 weeks mostly full-time paid work

27 to 39 weeks mostly part-time paid work

40 to 48 weeks mostly full-time paid work

40 to 48 weeks mostly part-time paid work

49 to 52 weeks mostly full-time paid work

49 to 52 weeks mostly part-time paid work

Remarks

The term 'full-year, full-time workers' refers to persons aged 15 years and over who worked 49 to 52 weeks mostly full time in 2020 for pay or in self-employment.

For more information, see the definitions for Weeks worked during the reference year and Full-time or part-time weeks worked during the reference year variables.

Note(s)