Social Determinants of Health – Education
The following information is compiled and presented by Quality of Care NL, an applied health and social systems research and evaluation program aimed at improving social and health outcomes in Newfoundland and Labrador. This page is best viewed in full screen on a computer. Click here to download a PDF version of the information presented below.
People with higher levels of education tend to have better health outcomes. Level of education is highly correlated with other social determinants of health such as level of income, employment security, and working conditions. Being well-educated also leads to greater health literacy, a better understanding of the implications of unhealthy behavior, and an increased ability to access health services and health information.
Future outlook is based on how hopeful people feel about their future. Having a hopeful outlook is positively associated with key well-being indicators, such as life satisfaction, sense of meaning and purpose, and mental and general health.
Educational Attainment: No High School Diploma
Educational attainment refers to the highest level of education that a person has successfully completed.
- Overall, from 2006 to 2021, the proportion of those aged 25-64 years without a high school diploma has decreased by approximately 35% across Canada.
- Compared to Canada, NL has a higher proportion of individuals aged 25-64 years without a high school diploma.
- In both 2016 and 2021, NL ranked tenth for the proportion of individuals aged 25-64 years without a high school diploma (1=best and 10=worst).
Educational Attainment: Postsecondary Certificate, Diploma or Degree
- Overall, from 2006 to 2021, the proportion of those aged 25-64 years with a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree has increased by 10% across Canada.
- Compared to Canada, NL has a lower proportion of people with a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree.
- In both 2016 and 2021, NL ranked seventh for the proportion of individuals aged 25-64 years with a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree (1=best and 10=worst).
Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
Young people who are NEET may be experiencing difficulties transitioning from school to the labour market, and could be at risk for low income and social exclusion.
- Overall, from 2012 to 2024, the percentage of youth who were NEET decreased by 30% in NL and 8% across Canada.
- From 2012 onwards, the rate of young people who were NEET was consistently higher in NL compared to Canada. In 2024, the rate of young people who were NEET was 17% higher in NL compared to Canada.
- In both 2019 and 2024, NL has had the highest percentage of youth who were NEET (rank 10) among the Canadian provinces (tied with AB in 2024) (1=best and 10=worst).
Future Outlook
Future outlook was measured using the following question: “Thinking about your life in general, how often would you say you have a hopeful view of the future?”. The possible response categories included: always, often, sometimes, rarely and never.
- Across Canada and in NL, having a hopeful view of the future has decreased from Q3 2021 to Q4 2024 for those aged 15 years and older.
- From Q3 2021 to Q4 2024, having a hopeful view of the future has decreased by 18% in NL and 14% across Canada.
- In both Q3 2021 and Q4 2024, NL ranked eighth (tied with NS in Q4 2024) among the Canadian provinces for the proportion of individuals having a hopeful view of the future (1=best and 10=worst).
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