10 StatsCan findings that show how civic engagement is changing in Canada

More and more Canadians say they are getting involved in their community through joining groups, organizations, associations, or political parties. But while civic engagement is on the rise, voting rates are falling.

That's according to recently released data from Statistics Canada.

The agency's report "Civic engagement and political participation in Canada," was released online on Monday. It uses data from the 2013, 2008, and 2003 General Social Surveys to look at how engagement and participation have evolved in Canada.

Here are 10 findings from the 10 years of data:

1. The percentage of Canadians who are part of a group, organization, or association is on the rise
In 2003, 61 per cent of survey respondents said they were members or participants in a group, organization or association. In 2013, that number rose slightly. That, year, nearly two in three Canadians, or 65 per cent, said they participated in a union, religious organization, political party, or other group.

2. The increase in the rate of participation was twice as high for women as for men
From 2003 to 2013, the rate of participation was twice as high for women as for men.

Over the 10-year period, women's participation increased six percentage points, from 59 per cent to 65 per cent. Meanwhile, men's participation went up three percentage points, from 63 per cent to 66 per cent.

3. Seniors are becoming more and more engaged, and it may have something to do with improvements in health

Between 2003 and 2013, the increase in participation rates for Canadian seniors was "especially pronounced," the report says.

In 2003, 45 per cent of senior respondents said they were members or participants in a group, organization or association. In 2013, that number was up 14 percentage points, with 59 per cent of seniors saying they were involved in a group.

According to the report, "This growth could possibly be attributed, at least in part, to better health on the part of older seniors."

4. British Columbians tend to be the most engaged, and Quebecers are the least involved.

In 2013, 73 per cent of British Columbians said they were involved in a group, organization, or association. In Quebec, 58 per cent of respondents said they were involved.

5. Even though civic engagement is up, voting rates are down

Canadians say they are getting more involved in their communities and participating more in politics, but there has been an overall decline in voting in the past 50 years.

In 1963, Statistics Canada says, 79.2 per cent of Canadians voted. But in the last election in 2011, only 61.1 per cent turned up at the polls.

6. Voting rates differ according to age

According to Statistics Canada, age has a greater impact on voting than other socioeconomic and demographic factors.

In 2013, for example, Statistics Canada found that 70 per cent of young adults aged 25 to 34 said they voted in the last election, compared to 92 per cent of seniors 75 and older. That's a difference of 22 percentage points.

7. Civic engagement higher among people with higher education level

Among people without a high school diploma, 77 per cent reported voting in the last election, while 89 per cent of university graduates said they'd voted.

As for civic engagement, 78 per cent of degree-holders aged 25 to 64 years old said they participated in or were a member of an organization. Only 56 per cent of high school graduates said they were.

8. People with higher incomes are more likely to join a political group or party

According to Statistics Canada, 34 per cent of political party members had personal incomes $80,000 or over.

Among people aged 25 to 64 whose income was $80,000 or over, seven per cent were members of a political party or group. Among members of the same age group who earned less, three per cent were part of a political party or group.

9. The Internet is changing how Canadians get civically engaged

A growing number of group members and participants are using the Internet with their organization.

In 2003, 23 per cent said they were active online. In 2013, 44 per cent said they were.

And while youth may have a lower voter turnout than older Canadians, the report says some survey data suggests young people just choose to engage in politics differently.

In 2013, the survey found, 17 per cent of young people aged 15 to 24 said they had expressed their views on a political or social issue on the Internet. On the other hand, only nine per cent of people aged 45 or older had posted opinions online.

10. Canadians want to know more about politics

Statistics Canada says more Canadians are searching for information about politics.

According to the agency, the proportion of Canadians who searched for information about a political issue rose from 26 per cent in 2003 to 39 per cent in 2013.

The report authors suggest the increase may because of "the intensive use of the Internet by young people."