National Household Survey (NHS)

Size of economic family, category

Size refers to the number of persons or things in the statistical unit or to its physical dimensions.

Economic family refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. A couple may be of opposite or same sex. Foster children are included.

By definition, all persons who are members of a census family are also members of an economic family. Examples of the broader concept of economic family include the following: two co-resident census families who are related to one another are considered one economic family; co-resident siblings who are not members of a census family are considered as one economic family; and, nieces or nephews living with aunts or uncles are considered one economic family.

In the 2011 National Household Survey, in English, 'Size of economic family' is referred to as 'Economic family size'.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classifications and/or lists:

• Size of economic family