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Home > First Nations & Inuit Health > Reports & Publications > Non-Insured Health Benefits > Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, Annual Report 2004-2005

Non-Insured Health Benefits Program - 2004-2005 Annual Report

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2 Client Population

Aboriginal male elder The First Nations and Inuit population eligible to receive benefits under the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program has increased from under 400,000 in 1988 to nearly 765,000 as of March 31, 2005. This growth is, in part, attributable to Bill C-31 and changes made to the Indian Act in 1985, which resulted in over 100,000 additional clients registering between 1985 and 1995.

This population continues to be one of the fastest growing sectors in Canada as demonstrated by the comparison to the growth rate for the overall Canadian population in Figure 2.5.

The First Nations and Inuit population data are drawn from the Status Verification System (SVS), which is operated by First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), and are based on information provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), the Governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and Inuit organizations such as the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Labrador Inuit Association and the Makivik Corporation in Quebec.


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Figure 2.1
Eligible Client Population by Region, March 2005

The total number of eligible clients on the Status Verification System (SVS) at the end of March 2005, is 764,523, an increase of 2.0% from 2004.

The Ontario Region has the largest total population representing 21.5% of the national total, followed by both the Manitoba Region and the Pacific Region at 15.6% and the Saskatchewan Region at 15.4%.

Figure 2.1 - Eligible Client Population by Region, March 2005

Source: Status Verification System (SVS) adapted by Program Analysis Division


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Figure 2.2
Eligible Client Population by Type and Region, March 2004 and March 2005

Of the 764,523 total eligible clients at the end of the 2004/05 fiscal year, 723,218 (94.6%) are First Nations clients while 41,305 (5.4%) are Inuit clients.

The number of First Nations clients increased by 1.9% while the number of Inuit clients increased by 2.7% in the past year.

The Nunavut (2.8%), Manitoba (2.7%), Saskatchewan (2.5%), Atlantic (2.4%) and Alberta (2.3%) regions showed the largest increases in total population from 2003/04 to 2004/05.

For the purposes of this report, First Nations clients are defined as registered Indians (on the INAC Indian Registry), as well as Labrador Innu residents in Davis Inlet and Sheshatshui. Inuit clients are recognized Inuit through the Governments of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Nunavut (GN) and Inuit organizations including the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Labrador Inuit Association, and the Makivik Corporation in Quebec.

Regional population figures are based on the region of band affiliation of the eligible client as reflected by the Status Verification System.

REGION First Nations Inuit TOTAL % Change
2004 to 2005
March/04 March/05 March/04 March/05 March/04 March/05
Atlantic 30,524 31,159 5,708 5,948 36,232 37,107 2.4%
Quebec 53,300 53,880 654 707 53,954 54,587 1.2%
Ontario 161,991 164,191 482 525 162,473 164,716 1.4%
Manitoba 115,962 119,045 77 95 116,039 119,140 2.7%
Saskat-
chewan 		115,064 117,941 29 33 115,093 117,974 2.5%
Alberta 92,340 94,437 307 364 92,647 94,801 2.3%
Pacific 116,937 118,785 222 241 117,159 119,026 1.6%
Yukon 7,578 7,641 69 70 7,647 7,711 0.8%
N.W.T. 15,918 16,139 7,228 7,167 23,146 23,306 0.7%
Nunavut - - 25,435 26,155 25,435 26,155 2.8%
Total 709,614 723,218 40,211 41,305 749,825 764,523 2.0%

Source: Status Verification System (SVS) adapted by Program Analysis Division

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Figure 2.3
Annual Eligible Client Population, March 1996 to March 2005

The total number of eligible clients on the Status Verification System (SVS) has increased from over 620,000 at the end of fiscal year 1995/96 to nearly 765,000 in March 2005, an increase of 22.9%.

Since March 1996, annual population growth has ranged between 2.0% and 3.0%.

Figure 2.3 - Annual Eligible Client Population, March 1996 to March 2005

Source: Status Verification System (SVS) adapted by Program Analysis Division

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Figure 2.4
Eligible Client Population by Region, March 2001 to March 2005

The total number of eligible clients grew by 8.2% from 706,338 in 2001 to 764,523 in 2005.

The Manitoba Region had the largest increase in total eligible clients in the five-year period with a growth rate of 10.5%, followed by the Alberta Region at 10.4% and the Saskatchewan Region at 10.1%.

The March 2001 through March 2002 distribution of Inuit population in N.W.T. and Nunavut has been estimated based on actual March 2003 proportions of 22% and 78% respectively.

REGION March/01 March/02 March/03 March/04 March/05
Atlantic 33,910 34,662 35,389 36,232 37,107
Quebec 51,593 52,365 53,114 53,954 54,587
Ontario 155,443 158,086 160,496 162,473 164,716
Manitoba 107,777 110,517 113,180 116,039 119,140
Saskatchewan 107,105 109,659 112,325 115,093 117,974
Alberta 85,908 88,160 90,356 92,647 94,801
Pacific 111,562 113,366 115,204 117,159 119,026
Yukon 7,373 7,477 7,571 7,647 7,711
N.W.T. *21,874 *22,414 22,873 23,146 23,306
Nunavut *23,793 *24,380 24,835 25,435 26,155
Total 706,338 721,086 735,343 749,825 764,523
Annual % change 2.3% 2.1% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

* March 2001 through March 2002 estimates based on 2003 proportions of 22% Inuit in N.W.T. and 78% Inuit in Nunavut

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Figure 2.5
Annual Population Growth
Canadian Population and Eligible Client Population 1995/96 to 2004/05

From 1995/96 to 2004/05, the Canadian population grew by 9.0% while the NIHB eligible First Nations and Inuit client population registered an increase of 22.9%. The First Nations and Inuit client population has grown at an average annual rate of 2.4% compared to 1.0% for the Canadian population. These trends in population growth are expected to continue primarily as a result of the higher than average birth rate of the client population.

Revisions to the Canadian population data reflect population estimates sourced from Statistics Canada Quarterly Demographic Statistics - Catalogue No. 91-002- X1B.

Figure 2.5 - Annual Population Growth - Canadian Population and Eligible Client Population - 1995/96 to 2004/05

Source: Status Verification System (SVS) and Statistics Canada Catalogue No. 91-002-X1B, April-June 2005, Quarterly Demographic Statistics

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Figure 2.6
Eligible Client Population by Age Group, Gender and Region, March 2005

Of the 764,523 eligible clients on SVS as of March 31, 2005, 51% are female (389,379) and 49% are male (375,144).

The average age of the eligible client population is 29 years. By region, this average ranges from a high of 34 years of age in the Quebec Region to a low of 25 years of age in Nunavut.

The average age of the male and female eligible client population is 28 years and 31 years respectively. The average age for males ranges from 24 years in Nunavut to 32 years in the Quebec and Ontario Regions. The average age for females varies from 25 years in Nunavut to 36 years in the Quebec Region.

The First Nations and Inuit client population is relatively young with almost three-quarters (70.4%) under the age of 40. Of the total population, 38.5% are under the age of 20. Seniors (clients 65 years of age and over) represent 5.5% of the total population.

REGION Atlantic Quebec Ontario
Age Group Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
0-4 1,393 1,262 2,655 1,676 1,570 3,246 4,049 3,834 7,883
5-9 1,716 1,727 3,443 2,273 2,193 4,466 7,152 6,752 13,904
10-14 1,846 1,758 3,604 2,578 2,449 5,027 7,740 7,419 15,159
15-19 1,717 1,698 3,415 2,220 2,240 4,460 7,336 6,914 14,250
20-24 1,545 1,573 3,118 2,045 1,963 4,008 6,657 6,651 13,308
25-29 1,443 1,403 2,846 1,958 1,894 3,852 6,403 6,321 12,724
30-34 1,509 1,466 2,975 1,976 2,037 4,013 6,457 6,496 12,953
35-39 1,581 1,578 3,159 2,069 2,233 4,302 6,745 6,826 13,571
40-44 1,365 1,528 2,893 2,111 2,267 4,378 6,652 7,169 13,821
45-49 1,138 1,305 2,443 1,818 2,234 4,052 5,679 6,431 12,110
50-54 835 1,061 1,896 1,447 1,699 3,146 4,206 5,189 9,395
55-59 646 799 1,445 1,115 1,439 2,554 3,335 4,152 7,487
60-64 398 563 961 835 1,115 1,950 2,338 3,148 5,486
65+ 955 1,299 2,254 1,937 3,196 5,133 5,063 7,602 12,665
Total 18,087 19,020 37,107 26,058 28,529 54,587 79,812 84,904 164,716
Average Age 30 32 31 32 36 34 32 35 33


REGION Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta
Age Group Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
0-4 6,041 5,710 11,751 5,867 5,718 11,585 4,603 4,359 8,962
5-9 7,128 6,818 13,946 7,001 6,896 13,897 5,762 5,411 11,173
10-14 7,400 7,187 14,587 7,499 7,279 14,778 5,977 5,571 11,548
15-19 6,162 5,991 12,153 6,787 6,462 13,249 5,262 5,117 10,379
20-24 5,239 4,917 10,156 5,463 5,338 10,801 4,385 4,386 8,771
25-29 4,611 4,494 9,105 4,680 4,712 9,392 3,783 3,804 7,587
30-34 4,579 4,624 9,203 4,459 4,646 9,105 3,478 3,625 7,103
35-39 4,424 4,542 8,966 4,313 4,520 8,833 3,394 3,511 6,905
40-44 3,913 4,231 8,144 3,644 3,890 7,534 2,969 3,297 6,266
45-49 2,957 3,176 6,133 2,669 3,071 5,740 2,203 2,565 4,768
50-54 2,061 2,395 4,456 1,845 2,144 3,989 1,523 1,955 3,478
55-59 1,599 1,798 3,397 1,310 1,677 2,987 1,100 1,454 2,554
60-64 1,101 1,284 2,385 927 1,081 2,008 797 1,021 1,818
65+ 2,067 2,691 4,758 1,716 2,360 4,076 1,471 2,018 3,489
Total 59,282 59,858 119,140 58,180 59,794 117,974 46,707 48,094 94,801
Average Age 26 28 27 25 27 26 25 28 26


REGION Pacific Yukon N.W.T.
Age Group Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
0-4 4,009 3,893 7,902 213 204 417 763 792 1,555
5-9 5,227 4,960 10,187 306 281 587 1,089 1,075 2,164
10-14 5,932 5,558 11,490 362 327 689 1,426 1,400 2,826
15-19 5,927 5,444 11,371 314 322 636 1,257 1,204 2,461
20-24 5,197 4,992 10,189 340 317 657 1,099 980 2,079
25-29 4,594 4,570 9,164 311 256 567 850 901 1,751
30-34 4,819 4,701 9,520 332 311 643 925 906 1,831
35-39 4,715 4,904 9,619 380 317 697 954 967 1,921
40-44 4,858 5,348 10,206 387 394 781 812 949 1,761
45-49 3,876 4,511 8,387 253 297 550 587 733 1,320
50-54 2,922 3,405 6,327 167 235 402 450 528 978
55-59 2,122 2,524 4,646 129 183 312 370 444 814
60-64 1,555 1,910 3,465 123 137 260 250 272 522
65+ 2,748 3,805 6,553 206 307 513 601 722 1,323
Total 58,501 60,525 119,026 3,823 3,888 7,711 11,433 11,873 23,306
Average Age 30 32 31 31 34 33 29 30 29


REGION Nunavut TOTAL
Age Group Male Female Total Male Female Total
0-4 1,643 1,508 3,151 30,257 28,850 59,107
5-9 1,716 1,639 3,355 39,370 37,752 77,122
10-14 1,687 1,616 3,303 42,447 40,564 83,011
15-19 1,519 1,461 2,980 38,501 36,853 75,354
20-24 1,185 1,144 2,329 33,155 32,261 65,416
25-29 982 1,029 2,011 29,615 29,384 58,999
30-34 937 917 1,854 29,471 29,729 59,200
35-39 930 928 1,858 29,505 30,326 59,831
40-44 759 762 1,521 27,470 29,835 57,305
45-49 467 484 951 21,647 24,807 46,454
50-54 402 392 794 15,858 19,003 34,861
55-59 355 318 673 12,081 14,788 26,869
60-64 227 237 464 8,551 10,768 19,319
65+ 452 459 911 17,216 24,459 41,675
Total 13,261 12,894 26,155 375,144 389,379 764,523
Average Age 24 25 25 28 31 29

Source: Status Verification System (SVS) adapted by Program Analysis Division

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Figure 2.7
Proportion of Total Eligible Client Population, Gender and Age Group, March 2005

Males and females under 20 years of age represent 19.7% and 18.8% of the total population, respectively.

Female clients age 65 years and over account for 3.2% of the total population, while males in this age range represent 2.3%.

Figure 2.7 - Proportion of Total Eligible Client Population, Gender and Age Group, March 2005

Source: Status Verification System (SVS) adapted by Program Analysis Division

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