The table illustrates shifts in the composition of Canadian households between 1984 and 2020. Overall, the proportion of households with dependent children fell considerably, whereas most other categories, particularly one-person and lone-parent households, saw an upward trend.
In 1984, households with dependent children were the most common, accounting for 52% of the total. However, this figure steadily declined over the period, reaching 36% by 2020. Conversely, the percentage of one-person households doubled from 6% in 1984 to 12% in 2020. Similarly, the proportion of lone-parent families tripled, rising from 4% to 12% over the same timeframe.
Regarding other family types, couples without children saw their representation grow from 19% in 1984 to 25% in 2020, remaining stable at that level for the final six years. In contrast, the percentage of households with non-dependent children remained relatively consistent throughout the period, starting at 10%, peaking slightly at 11% in 2004, and finishing at 9% in 2020. In summary, the data reflects a clear move away from traditional family structures with dependent children towards smaller or alternative household arrangements in Canada.