• Edmonton has a higher proportion of working-age families. This younger population is contributing to an enrolment boom for Edmonton’s Public and Catholic school boards (see Tracking the Trends 2018). The enrolment boom began at the elementary school level and is now working its way into the higher grades.

Education is a significant determinant of health, as educational attainment influences career options and lifetime earning potential. University graduates earn significantly higher incomes than high school graduates—on a per annum and lifetime basis. Education also provides some protection against economic fluctuations. Individuals with higher education are less likely to become unemployed in the event of an economic downturn. They are also more likely to achieve financial security after retiring. The importance of education has grown as the economy becomes increasingly reliant on industries that require specialized knowledge and technical expertise.