In 2009, 31.4% of all Canadians aged 25 to 39 had a university degree. Of those who had at least one parent with a degree, 55.8% had a university degree. Of those Canadians aged 25 to 39 whose parents did not have a degree, 23.0% had a university degree, or roughly half the percentage of those who have a parent with a degree.

Among people whose parents did not have a degree, the likelihood of their obtaining a degree nearly doubled between 1986 and 2009.  The increase was less dramatic for those whose parents had a degree, at 1.25 times higher.