Rate ratios

Rates for different groups can be compared using a rate ratio, which is the ratio of 2 rates.

In this report, rate ratios are used to compare First Nations and non‑Indigenous rates, and to provide a measure of the level of First Nations over‑representation. Rate ratios are calculated by dividing the First Nations rate by the non-Indigenous rate.

Rate ratios should be interpreted with caution where there are small denominators, rare events, and rates that converge while declining.

Due to a lack of statistical reliability, rate ratios in this report are not calculated where one or both of the rates have fewer than 5 young people in the numerator. However, these young people contribute to overall state and national rate ratios.