Education

Educational attainment levels for the population aged 25–64. — 2021 Census of Population

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Bachelor's+ (%)

Bachelor's degree or higher (aged 25–64)

Distribution by riding

Share of 25-to-64-year-olds with a bachelor's degree or higher by federal riding, 2021 Census. Median 28.2%; range 9.1% (Terra Nova—The Peninsulas) to 74.1% (Spadina—Harbourfront); half of ridings between 19.4% and 41.7%. Canada: 32.9%.

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Canada 32.9%

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Vertical axis: Share of 25-to-64-year-olds with a bachelor's degree or higher (%)

Each dot is one federal riding (343 with a figure; 2023 Representation Order), placed by its value and spread across the axis so that dots do not overlap. The line marks the value for Canada as a whole (32.9%). Prairies: Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Atlantic: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. North: Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Highest and lowest ridings

Share of 25-to-64-year-olds with a bachelor's degree or higher by federal riding, 2021 Census. 343 ridings ranked from highest (1) to lowest; tied values share a rank. Bars start at zero on one scale; the vertical line marks the value for Canada (32.9%).

10 highest

The 10 ridings with the highest values: share of 25-to-64-year-olds with a bachelor's degree or higher, 2021 Census
Rank	Riding	Value
1	Spadina—HarbourfrontON	74.1%
2	Toronto—St. Paul'sON	67.8%
3	University—RosedaleON	67.5%
4	Vancouver QuadraBC	67.4%
5	Ottawa CentreON	66.3%
6	WillowdaleON	65.8%
7	Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-SoeursQC	65.3%
8	OutremontQC	64.2%
9	Oakville EastON	62.8%
10	Don Valley NorthON	62.3%

10 lowest

The 10 ridings with the lowest values: share of 25-to-64-year-olds with a bachelor's degree or higher, 2021 Census, lowest first
Rank	Riding	Value
343	Terra Nova—The PeninsulasNL	9.1%
342	Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill RiverSK	10.0%
341	Central NewfoundlandNL	11.6%
340	Mégantic—L’Érable—LotbinièreQC	11.7%
339	Peace River—WestlockAB	12.7%
338	Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—EeyouQC	13.0%
337	Churchill—Keewatinook AskiMB	13.2%
335	Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—HuntingdonQC	13.4%
335	Rivière-du-NordQC	13.4%
333	Miramichi—Grand LakeNB	13.5%

All 343 ridings, ranked

All ridings ranked by share of 25-to-64-year-olds with a bachelor's degree or higher, 2021 Census, highest first
Rank	Riding	Province or territory	Value
1	Spadina—Harbourfront	Ontario	74.1%
2	Toronto—St. Paul's	Ontario	67.8%
3	University—Rosedale	Ontario	67.5%
4	Vancouver Quadra	British Columbia	67.4%
5	Ottawa Centre	Ontario	66.3%
6	Willowdale	Ontario	65.8%
7	Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs	Quebec	65.3%
8	Outremont	Quebec	64.2%
9	Oakville East	Ontario	62.8%
10	Don Valley North	Ontario	62.3%
11	Vancouver Centre	British Columbia	61.1%
12	Toronto Centre	Ontario	60.8%
13	Vancouver Granville	British Columbia	60.7%
14	Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount	Quebec	60.4%
15	Laurier—Sainte-Marie	Quebec	60.2%
16	Oakville West	Ontario	59.1%
17	Don Valley West	Ontario	58.0%
18	Calgary Centre	Alberta	57.9%
19	Thornhill	Ontario	57.4%
20	Calgary Signal Hill	Alberta	57.0%
20	Eglinton—Lawrence	Ontario	57.0%
22	Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park	Ontario	56.9%
23	Louis-Hébert	Quebec	55.9%
24	Calgary Confederation	Alberta	55.7%
24	Mount Royal	Quebec	55.7%
26	Toronto—Danforth	Ontario	55.6%
27	Halifax	Nova Scotia	55.5%
28	Richmond Hill South	Ontario	55.4%
29	Markham—Unionville	Ontario	55.3%
30	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Ontario	55.1%
31	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Ontario	54.6%
32	Waterloo	Ontario	54.5%
33	North Vancouver—Capilano	British Columbia	53.9%
34	Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie	Quebec	53.6%
35	Kanata	Ontario	52.7%
36	Calgary Crowfoot	Alberta	52.5%
36	Lac-Saint-Louis	Quebec	52.5%
38	Burlington North—Milton West	Ontario	52.2%
39	Edmonton Riverbend	Alberta	51.8%
40	Winnipeg South Centre	Manitoba	51.7%
41	Beaches—East York	Ontario	51.6%
42	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Ontario	51.4%
43	Victoria	British Columbia	50.9%
44	Mississauga Centre	Ontario	50.7%
45	Etobicoke Centre	Ontario	49.0%
45	Mississauga—Streetsville	Ontario	49.0%
45	Winnipeg South	Manitoba	49.0%
48	Nepean	Ontario	48.9%
48	Richmond Centre—Marpole	British Columbia	48.9%
50	Brossard—Saint-Lambert	Quebec	48.8%
51	Burnaby Central	British Columbia	48.7%
52	Saint-Laurent	Quebec	48.2%
53	Edmonton Strathcona	Alberta	48.1%
54	Burnaby North—Seymour	British Columbia	47.6%
54	Ottawa West—Nepean	Ontario	47.6%
56	Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester	Ontario	47.5%
57	Markham—Stouffville	Ontario	47.4%
58	Brampton South	Ontario	46.2%
59	Vancouver East	British Columbia	46.1%
60	Ahuntsic-Cartierville	Quebec	45.9%
61	Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas	Ontario	45.8%
62	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Ontario	45.2%
62	Ottawa South	Ontario	45.2%
64	Halifax West	Nova Scotia	44.4%
65	Saskatoon—University	Saskatchewan	44.3%
66	Papineau	Quebec	44.2%
66	Saskatoon South	Saskatchewan	44.2%
68	Carleton	Ontario	44.0%
68	Orléans	Ontario	44.0%
68	Québec Centre	Quebec	44.0%
68	Richmond East—Steveston	British Columbia	44.0%
72	Port Moody—Coquitlam	British Columbia	43.8%
73	Milton East—Halton Hills South	Ontario	43.7%
74	Brampton West	Ontario	43.5%
74	Davenport	Ontario	43.5%
74	Hull—Aylmer	Quebec	43.5%
77	King—Vaughan	Ontario	43.3%
78	Mississauga—Malton	Ontario	43.2%
78	Newmarket—Aurora	Ontario	43.2%
80	Calgary Skyview	Alberta	43.0%
81	Scarborough—Agincourt	Ontario	42.9%
82	Fredericton—Oromocto	New Brunswick	42.3%
83	Calgary Heritage	Alberta	42.0%
83	South Surrey—White Rock	British Columbia	42.0%
85	LaSalle—Émard—Verdun	Quebec	41.7%
85	New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville	British Columbia	41.7%
85	Vancouver Kingsway	British Columbia	41.7%
88	Pierrefonds—Dollard	Quebec	41.3%
88	West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country	British Columbia	41.3%
90	London West	Ontario	41.2%
90	Saanich—Gulf Islands	British Columbia	41.2%
90	Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby	British Columbia	41.2%
93	Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam	British Columbia	41.1%
94	Burlington	Ontario	41.0%
94	St. John's East	Newfoundland and Labrador	41.0%
96	Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est	Quebec	40.6%
97	York Centre	Ontario	40.5%
98	London Centre	Ontario	40.3%
99	Edmonton Gateway	Alberta	40.0%
100	Charlottetown	Prince Edward Island	39.8%
100	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Ontario	39.8%
102	Regina—Wascana	Saskatchewan	39.5%
103	Markham—Thornhill	Ontario	39.4%
104	Calgary Nose Hill	Alberta	39.0%
104	Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie	Quebec	39.0%
104	St. Boniface—St. Vital	Manitoba	39.0%
107	Scarborough Southwest	Ontario	38.9%
108	Pickering—Brooklin	Ontario	38.8%
109	Regina—Lewvan	Saskatchewan	38.6%
110	Guelph	Ontario	38.5%
111	Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East	Ontario	38.4%
112	Edmonton West	Alberta	38.3%
113	Brampton North—Caledon	Ontario	38.1%
113	Calgary Shepard	Alberta	38.1%
115	Brampton East	Ontario	37.9%
116	Vaughan—Woodbridge	Ontario	37.7%
117	Scarborough—Woburn	Ontario	37.4%
118	Calgary Midnapore	Alberta	37.2%
119	Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park	Ontario	37.0%
120	Whitby	Ontario	36.8%
121	Kingston and the Islands	Ontario	36.5%
122	Langley Township—Fraser Heights	British Columbia	36.4%
123	Sackville—Bedford—Preston	Nova Scotia	36.3%
124	Ajax	Ontario	36.1%
125	Edmonton Centre	Alberta	35.8%
126	Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle	Quebec	34.7%
127	Longueuil—Saint-Hubert	Quebec	34.2%
128	Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi	Quebec	34.1%
129	Marc-Aurèle-Fortin	Quebec	34.0%
130	Edmonton Southeast	Alberta	33.7%
130	Fleetwood—Port Kells	British Columbia	33.7%
130	Kitchener Centre	Ontario	33.7%
130	Winnipeg West	Manitoba	33.7%
134	Wellington—Halton Hills North	Ontario	33.6%
135	Delta	British Columbia	33.2%
136	La Prairie—Atateken	Quebec	33.0%
137	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Ontario	32.9%
137	Yukon	Yukon	32.9%
139	Dartmouth—Cole Harbour	Nova Scotia	32.8%
139	Vimy	Quebec	32.8%
141	Middlesex—London	Ontario	32.4%
141	Sherbrooke	Quebec	32.4%
143	Laval—Les Îles	Quebec	32.1%
144	Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères	Quebec	32.0%
144	Vaudreuil	Quebec	32.0%
146	Brampton Centre	Ontario	31.8%
147	Brampton—Chinguacousy Park	Ontario	31.7%
147	Kildonan—St. Paul	Manitoba	31.7%
147	Kitchener—Conestoga	Ontario	31.7%
147	Scarborough North	Ontario	31.7%
147	Winnipeg North	Manitoba	31.7%
152	Moncton—Dieppe	New Brunswick	31.6%
153	Windsor West	Ontario	31.1%
154	Flamborough—Glanbrook—Brant North	Ontario	30.9%
155	Saint John—Kennebecasis	New Brunswick	30.8%
156	Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk	Quebec	30.4%
157	Alfred-Pellan	Quebec	30.2%
158	Surrey Newton	British Columbia	29.9%
159	Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke	British Columbia	29.8%
160	Surrey Centre	British Columbia	29.7%
160	Thérèse-De Blainville	Quebec	29.7%
160	Winnipeg Centre	Manitoba	29.7%
163	Lévis—Lotbinière	Quebec	29.4%
164	Edmonton Northwest	Alberta	29.3%
165	Beloeil—Chambly	Quebec	28.7%
165	Cloverdale—Langley City	British Columbia	28.7%
165	Niagara West	Ontario	28.7%
168	Etobicoke North	Ontario	28.6%
169	Bowmanville—Oshawa North	Ontario	28.4%
169	Hamilton Centre	Ontario	28.4%
171	Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne	Quebec	28.2%
171	Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna	British Columbia	28.2%
173	Kelowna	British Columbia	28.1%
174	Cape Spear	Newfoundland and Labrador	28.0%
175	Beauport—Limoilou	Quebec	27.8%
176	Cardigan	Prince Edward Island	27.5%
177	Calgary McKnight	Alberta	27.4%
178	Airdrie—Cochrane	Alberta	27.3%
179	Sudbury	Ontario	27.2%
180	Honoré-Mercier	Quebec	27.1%
181	Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore	Ontario	26.9%
182	Essex	Ontario	26.8%
182	Thunder Bay—Superior North	Ontario	26.8%
184	St. Catharines	Ontario	26.5%
185	Northwest Territories	Northwest Territories	26.4%
185	Yellowhead	Alberta	26.4%
187	Hamilton East—Stoney Creek	Ontario	26.3%
187	Nanaimo—Ladysmith	British Columbia	26.3%
189	New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury	Ontario	26.2%
190	Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake	Ontario	26.0%
191	Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles	Quebec	25.9%
191	Gatineau	Quebec	25.9%
191	Peterborough	Ontario	25.9%
194	Malpeque	Prince Edward Island	25.8%
195	Dufferin—Caledon	Ontario	25.7%
195	Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel	Quebec	25.7%
195	Trois-Rivières	Quebec	25.7%
198	Rivière-des-Mille-Îles	Quebec	25.6%
199	Lethbridge	Alberta	25.3%
200	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Ontario	25.2%
201	Elmwood—Transcona	Manitoba	25.0%
201	Saskatoon West	Saskatchewan	25.0%
203	Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan	Alberta	24.9%
204	Brome—Missisquoi	Quebec	24.6%
204	La Pointe-de-l'Île	Quebec	24.6%
206	York—Durham	Ontario	24.4%
207	Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier	Quebec	24.2%
208	Barrie South—Innisfil	Ontario	23.8%
208	Montmorency—Charlevoix	Quebec	23.8%
210	Hamilton Mountain	Ontario	23.7%
210	St. Albert—Sturgeon River	Alberta	23.7%
212	York South—Weston—Etobicoke	Ontario	23.6%
213	Cambridge	Ontario	23.4%
213	Cowichan—Malahat—Langford	British Columbia	23.4%
215	Compton—Stanstead	Quebec	23.3%
216	Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge	British Columbia	23.2%
217	Beauséjour	New Brunswick	23.1%
217	Foothills	Alberta	23.1%
219	Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish	Nova Scotia	22.6%
219	Edmonton Manning	Alberta	22.6%
221	Kings—Hants	Nova Scotia	22.5%
222	Humber River—Black Creek	Ontario	22.4%
223	Chicoutimi—Le Fjord	Quebec	22.2%
223	Prescott—Russell—Cumberland	Ontario	22.2%
225	Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies	British Columbia	22.0%
226	Brandon—Souris	Manitoba	21.9%
226	Simcoe—Grey	Ontario	21.9%
228	Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis	Quebec	21.8%
229	Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford	British Columbia	21.7%
230	Bourassa	Quebec	21.6%
230	Sydney—Glace Bay	Nova Scotia	21.6%
232	Courtenay—Alberni	British Columbia	21.4%
232	Repentigny	Quebec	21.4%
234	Red Deer	Alberta	21.3%
235	Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies	British Columbia	21.1%
235	Rimouski—La Matapédia	Quebec	21.1%
237	Les Pays-d'en-Haut	Quebec	20.9%
238	Terrebonne	Quebec	20.8%
239	Abbotsford—South Langley	British Columbia	20.6%
239	Lanark—Frontenac	Ontario	20.6%
241	North Island—Powell River	British Columbia	20.5%
241	Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma	Ontario	20.5%
243	Edmonton Griesbach	Alberta	20.4%
243	Regina—Qu'Appelle	Saskatchewan	20.4%
245	Fort McMurray—Cold Lake	Alberta	20.0%
245	Thunder Bay—Rainy River	Ontario	20.0%
245	Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee	British Columbia	20.0%
248	Tobique—Mactaquac	New Brunswick	19.9%
249	South Shore—St. Margarets	Nova Scotia	19.8%
250	Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations	Ontario	19.7%
250	Northumberland—Clarke	Ontario	19.7%
250	Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay	British Columbia	19.7%
253	Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola	British Columbia	19.6%
253	Nipissing—Timiskaming	Ontario	19.6%
255	Elgin—St. Thomas—London South	Ontario	19.5%
255	Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan	Saskatchewan	19.5%
255	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Ontario	19.5%
258	Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek	Saskatchewan	19.4%
258	Oshawa	Ontario	19.4%
260	Calgary East	Alberta	19.3%
260	Huron—Bruce	Ontario	19.3%
262	Mirabel	Quebec	19.2%
263	London—Fanshawe	Ontario	19.1%
263	Portage—Lisgar	Manitoba	19.1%
265	Cumberland—Colchester	Nova Scotia	19.0%
266	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes	Ontario	18.8%
266	Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong	Ontario	18.8%
268	Central Nova	Nova Scotia	18.7%
269	Saint-Jean	Quebec	18.4%
270	Bay of Quinte	Ontario	18.3%
270	Cariboo—Prince George	British Columbia	18.3%
270	Fundy Royal	New Brunswick	18.3%
270	Niagara South	Ontario	18.3%
270	Simcoe North	Ontario	18.3%
275	Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville	Quebec	18.1%
276	Chilliwack—Hope	British Columbia	18.0%
277	Avalon	Newfoundland and Labrador	17.8%
278	Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner	Alberta	17.6%
278	Perth—Wellington	Ontario	17.6%
278	Prince Albert	Saskatchewan	17.6%
278	Saint John—St. Croix	New Brunswick	17.6%
282	Bow River	Alberta	17.5%
282	Jonquière	Quebec	17.5%
284	Skeena—Bulkley Valley	British Columbia	17.3%
285	Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes	Ontario	17.2%
286	Provencher	Manitoba	17.1%
287	Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke	Ontario	17.0%
288	Laurentides—Labelle	Quebec	16.7%
289	Oxford	Ontario	16.6%
290	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Ontario	16.4%
290	Egmont	Prince Edward Island	16.4%
290	Leduc—Wetaskiwin	Alberta	16.4%
290	Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley	Saskatchewan	16.4%
294	Abitibi—Témiscamingue	Quebec	16.2%
295	Acadie—Annapolis	Nova Scotia	16.1%
295	Drummond	Quebec	16.1%
295	Grande Prairie	Alberta	16.1%
298	Shefford	Quebec	16.0%
299	Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies	British Columbia	15.9%
299	Richmond—Arthabaska	Quebec	15.9%
301	Madawaska—Restigouche	New Brunswick	15.8%
302	Joliette—Manawan	Quebec	15.7%
303	Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake	Saskatchewan	15.5%
303	Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga	Ontario	15.5%
305	Kenora—Kiiwetinoong	Ontario	15.3%
305	Labrador	Newfoundland and Labrador	15.3%
305	Lac-Saint-Jean	Quebec	15.3%
308	Battle River—Crowfoot	Alberta	15.2%
308	Parkland	Alberta	15.2%
310	Ponoka—Didsbury	Alberta	15.1%
310	Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman	Manitoba	15.1%
312	Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj	Quebec	14.9%
313	Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel—Alnôbak	Quebec	14.8%
313	Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata	Quebec	14.8%
313	Long Range Mountains	Newfoundland and Labrador	14.8%
313	Saint-Maurice—Champlain	Quebec	14.8%
313	Stormont—Dundas—Glengarry	Ontario	14.8%
318	Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt	Ontario	14.7%
319	Beauce	Quebec	14.6%
319	Chatham-Kent—Leamington	Ontario	14.6%
319	Yorkton—Melville	Saskatchewan	14.6%
322	Haldimand—Norfolk	Ontario	14.5%
322	Lakeland	Alberta	14.5%
322	Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton	Quebec	14.5%
325	Riding Mountain	Manitoba	14.4%
326	Souris—Moose Mountain	Saskatchewan	14.3%
327	Acadie—Bathurst	New Brunswick	14.2%
328	Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation	Quebec	14.1%
328	Nunavut	Nunavut	14.1%
330	Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan	Quebec	14.0%
331	Montcalm	Quebec	13.8%
332	Kapuskasing—Timmins—Mushkegowuk	Ontario	13.7%
333	Berthier—Maskinongé	Quebec	13.5%
333	Miramichi—Grand Lake	New Brunswick	13.5%
335	Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon	Quebec	13.4%
335	Rivière-du-Nord	Quebec	13.4%
337	Churchill—Keewatinook Aski	Manitoba	13.2%
338	Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou	Quebec	13.0%
339	Peace River—Westlock	Alberta	12.7%
340	Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière	Quebec	11.7%
341	Central Newfoundland	Newfoundland and Labrador	11.6%
342	Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River	Saskatchewan	10.0%
343	Terra Nova—The Peninsulas	Newfoundland and Labrador	9.1%

Value: Bachelor's degree or higher (aged 25–64). Riding names link to the riding's dissemination-area map for this topic.

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Education — 2021 Census

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Education in Canada

Canada is one of the most educated countries in the world. The 2021 Census found that 57.5 percent of Canadians aged 25 to 64 held a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree — the highest rate among OECD nations. Among those, 32.9 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. But these national figures conceal a dramatic education gap between urban professional ridings and rural or northern communities where many adults lack even a high school diploma.

Bachelor's Degree or Higher

The university-educated population clusters overwhelmingly in a handful of affluent urban ridings. Vancouver Quadra leads at 93.8 percent with a bachelor's degree or higher among 25-to-64-year-olds, followed by University–Rosedale (92.7%) and Toronto–St. Paul's (90.6%). The top ten reads like a directory of Canada's wealthiest and most professional urban cores: Ottawa Centre, Outremont, NDG–Westmount, Spadina–Harbourfront.

At the other extreme, Terra Nova–The Peninsulas has the lowest rate at just 16.5 percent, followed by Central Newfoundland (19.5%) and Montcalm in Quebec (20.3%). The gap is stark: residents of Vancouver Quadra are nearly six times more likely to hold a university degree than those in rural Newfoundland.

No Certificate, Diploma, or Degree

The "no certificate" metric captures adults aged 25–64 who did not complete high school. Nationally this share has been declining for decades, but in northern and Indigenous communities it remains very high. Nunavut and Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River top the list, reflecting the systemic barriers to educational attainment in remote Indigenous communities — geographic isolation, underfunded schools, and the intergenerational effects of the residential school system.

Rural Atlantic Canada and northern Quebec also appear prominently. In these communities, resource-sector employment historically provided a livelihood without formal credentials, but as those industries decline, the lack of educational attainment becomes an economic liability.

Riding Rankings

Most University-Educated Ridings (Bachelor's+)

Rank	Riding	Bachelor's+ %
1	Vancouver Quadra	93.8%
2	University–Rosedale	92.7%
3	Toronto–St. Paul's	90.6%
4	Ottawa Centre	90.4%
5	Outremont	87.2%
6	Ville-Marie–Le Sud-Ouest–Île-des-Soeurs	87.0%
7	Spadina–Harbourfront	84.9%
8	Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount	84.8%
9	Don Valley North	84.8%
10	Willowdale	83.8%

These ridings combine high household incomes, professional employment, and — in the case of the Toronto and Vancouver ridings — large immigrant populations selected through Canada's points-based system, which heavily favours university education. Don Valley North and Willowdale reflect the GTA's skilled-immigrant corridor, while Ottawa Centre reflects the federal public service's credential requirements.

Least University-Educated Ridings (Bachelor's+)

Rank	Riding	Bachelor's+ %
1	Terra Nova–The Peninsulas	16.5%
2	Central Newfoundland	19.5%
3	Montcalm	20.3%
4	Labrador	20.7%
5	Mégantic–L'Érable–Lotbinière	20.9%
6	Peace River–Westlock	21.0%
7	Souris–Moose Mountain	21.2%
8	Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River	21.4%
9	Rivière-du-Nord	21.6%
10	Kapuskasing–Timmins–Mushkegowuk	21.6%

Newfoundland, rural Quebec, and the prairies dominate. These are communities where skilled trades, resource extraction, and agriculture provide employment that doesn't require a university degree. The low rates are not necessarily signs of dysfunction — Beauce and Lévis in Quebec have very low university rates but also very low unemployment and high household incomes — but they do reflect economic structures that are increasingly vulnerable to automation and resource depletion.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population. Riding boundaries reflect the 2022 Federal Electoral Districts. Adapted from Statistics Canada; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population. Adapted from Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.