Canadians initiating breastfeeding percent 2003-2022

In 2022, around 90 percent of Canadian women had initiated breast feeding. This statistic displays the estimated percentage of Canadian women aged between 15 and 55 years who initiated breastfeeding from 2003 to 2022.

Percentage of Canadians who initiated breastfeeding from 2003 to 2022

Characteristic	Percentage of women aged 15-55 years
2022	90.3%
2021	93.8%
2020*	-
2019*	-
2018	91.9%
2017	90.1%
2016	89.7%
2015	90.1%
2014*	-
2013 *	-
2012	90.3%
2011	88.4%
2010	87.2%
2009	87.5%
2008	88.3%
2007	87.1%
2005	87%
2003	84.8%

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Release date

November 2023

More information

Region

Canada

Survey time period

2003 to 2022

Number of respondents

65,000 respondents

Age group

15-55 years

Special properties

females

Supplementary notes

* Not available.
All figures are annual estimates.
Since 2007, data for the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) are collected yearly instead of every two years. While a sample of approximately 130,000 respondents were interviewed during the reference periods of 2003 and 2005, it has been changed to 65,000 respondents each year starting in 2007.
Based on information provided by females aged 15 to 55 who had a baby in the last 5 years. Initiated breastfeeding refers to mothers who breastfed or tried to breastfeed their last child even if only for a short time.

Figures from 2003 to 2014 were taken from an archived page from the same source and can be accessed here.
As a result of the 2015 redesign, Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) has a new collection strategy, a new sample design, and has undergone major content revisions. With all these factors taken together, caution should be taken when comparing data from previous cycles to data released for the 2015 cycle onwards. Adapted from Statistics Canada, statcan.gc.ca, 2003 to 2022. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.

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