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U of L and Lethbridge College. (Supplied by U of L and Lethbridge College)

More young women turning to higher education during pandemic: Stats Canada

May 25, 2021 | 10:59 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of great change for many. Some are using this time to pursue new avenues in life.

A new study from Stats Canada shows that more young women have been turning to post-secondary education.

At the start of the 2020/21 school year, postsecondary attendance rose from 48 per cent last year to 53 per cent this year for women aged 17 to 19 and from 46 per cent to 50 per cent for women aged 20 to 24.

“Meanwhile, there were no significant changes among young men for any age category,” reads part of a write up from Stats Canada.

38 per cent of men aged 17 to 19 were enrolled in post-secondary schooling and 35 per cent for men aged 20 to 24.

This change happened during a time of high youth unemployment nationwide. In March 2021, 14 per cent of youth were considered unemployed compared to 10.4 per cent pre-pandemic. The unemployment rates for men and women in this age were not significantly different.

While young men both attending school and working remained consistent at 45 per cent year-over-year, the number of women doing the same fell from 56 per cent to 49 per cent.