Impacts of COVID-19 on School Absenteeism Among Canadian Children and Youth

Chronic school absenteeism is associated with adverse health and social outcomes for children and youth across development. The present paper analyzed data published by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 2024 about rates of absenteeism in Canada pre-, mid-, and post-COVID-19. Data from a total of 11 regions in Canada, representing over 740,000 children in urban and rural public schools across the country, were analyzed. Non-parametric tests compared pre- and post-COVID-19 absenteeism rates, and correlations with the length of school closures were also explored. Data trends suggest that average chronic absenteeism rates increased significantly from pre- to post-COVID-19 for elementary students, but the increase for secondary students was not as marked. Elementary students living in regions with more school closures throughout the pandemic appear to have higher chronic absenteeism post-pandemic. This trend was not seen for secondary students. Although these results are exploratory in nature, the findings suggest that children, particularly those in the elementary grades, may be at risk of ongoing absenteeism as they develop. Results are discussed in the context of existing literature on absenteeism, Canada's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the global context.