The Canadian Index of Multiple Deprivation (CIMD)

Detailed information for 2016

The purpose of the Canadian Index of Multiple Deprivation is to illustrate differences in deprivation between areas, and to better understand inequalities in various measures of socio-economic characteristics for geographical areas or population groups.

Data release - June 12, 2019

• Description
• Data sources and methodology
• Data accuracy

Description

The Canadian Index of Multiple Deprivation (CIMD) is an area-based index that is composed of four dimensions of deprivation and marginalization: residential instability; situational vulnerability; economic dependency; and, ethno-cultural composition.

The index was created using data from Dissemination areas (DAs) across the country. Using factor analysis, DA-level factor scores were calculated for each dimension. Within a dimension, ordered scores were assigned a quintile value, 1 through 5, where 1 represents the least deprived and 5 represents the most deprived.

In addition to the national index, indexes have also been created at provincial and regional levels.

Subjects

• Crime and justice
• Health
• Income, pensions, spending and wealth
• Lifestyle and social conditions
• Low income and inequality
• Mental health and well-being
• Society and community

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population for the CIMD consists of all Dissemination Areas (DAs) from the 2016 Census of Population.

The observed population excludes: all of the DAs in the territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut); all of the DAs with populations of less than 40, and all of the DAs with a global non-response rate equal to or greater than 50%.

Instrument design

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Sampling

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

Microdata from the 2016 Census of Population was used to create the CIMD. Please refer to Census of Population, record number 3901, for more information related to data collection activities.

Error detection

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Imputation

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Estimation

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Quality evaluation

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

For reasons of data quality, DAs with a global non-response rate equal to or greater than 50% were excluded from the factor analysis.

All DAs from the 2016 Census of Population were used in the creation of the indexes. However, for reasons of confidentiality, factors scores and quintiles were suppressed for 498 DAs with populations of less than 40. Stated otherwise, while CIMD data are available for the majority of the country, there are a small subset of DAs for which data are not available.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Data accuracy

Response rates:
Due to the fact that Census of Population microdata was used for its creation, the CIMD would be impacted by the response rates of those of the Census. Please refer to Census of Population, record number 3901, for information on Census response rates.

Non-sampling error:
Non-sampling errors for the CIMD would be subject to those of the Census such as questionnaire design, data collection operations and, processing of data in edit and imputation. For further information on Census non-sampling errors, please refer to Census of Population, record number 3901.

Non-response bias:
The CIMD would be impacted by non-response bias as experienced by the Census of Population. For information on Census non-response bias, please refer to Census of Population, record number 3901.

Coverage error:
The CIMD would be subject to the same coverage error as the Census of Population. For information, please refer to Census of Population, record number 3901.