February 29, 2024 — Occupational therapists (OTs) are regulated health care professionals who promote health, well-being and quality of life by enabling individuals, families, organizations and communities to participate in occupations that give meaning and purpose to their lives. Occupational therapy is a type of health care that helps to solve the problems that interfere with a person’s ability to do the things that are important to them — everyday things such as caring for themselves, being productive and enjoying leisure activities.Reference1 OTs contribute to the productivity of Canadians through client-centred care.
Key findings
In 2022,
- 11,484 OTs were employed in direct patient care in Canada.Footnote i This number increased by 279 between 2021 and 2022 (an annual growth rate of 2.5%).
- In the provinces and territories where place of work data was available,Footnote i the majority of OTs were employed in direct care roles in hospitals (44.6%) or in community health (43.2%).
- In 2022, the number of OTs employed in direct care roles increased by 100 in hospitals (2% increase) and by 96 in community care (2% increase).
- There were 20,690 OTs licensed to practise in Canada, an increase of 3.1%. This was slightly lower than the growth rate in 2021 (3.9%).
- Internationally educated OTs accounted for 6% of the supply (1,239) in 2022. This proportion has been relatively stable for the past 5 years.
- Most OTs (90.8%) were female. More than 50% of the OT supply was younger than 40.
Featured material
Quick Stats
This interactive tool is ideal for workforce planners, health service managers and analysts who want to create customized visualizations.
Explore and compare the supply, workforce, inflow/outflow and provincial and territorial trends of Canada’s occupational therapists.
Data tables
These tables are meant for analysts, researchers and those who want to explore and analyze the raw data.
Access 10 years of supply, workforce, employment, education and demographic trends for Canada’s occupational therapists.
Methodology notes
These notes are meant for all data users.
They summarize the sources, definitions, strengths and limitations of the data available.
Reports
The state of the health workforce in Canada, 2022
This report provides an overview of 4 key areas: health workforce supply and distribution, internationally educated health professionals, workplace measures and specific population needs.
Health workforce in Canada: In focus
Learn about the impacts of COVID-19 on occupational therapists and how these professionals helped shape Canada’s response to the pandemic.
Databases and data sources
Health Workforce Database
CIHI collects record-level, standardized, comparative data on the supply, demographics, geographic and distribution characteristics, and education and employment details of OTs in Canada. To find out more about CIHI’s OT data, visit the Health Workforce Database metadata page.
References
1.
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. What is occupational therapy?. Accessed October 26, 2023.
Footnotes
i.
Excludes Quebec, as place of work data for OTs was not submitted to CIHI.