In 2022, 9.9 percent of all Canadians were living in low income. Between 2000 and 2022, the percentage of population with low income experienced a decrease, reaching the lowest value in 2020. The highest share of Canadians with low income was recorded in 2015, with 14.5 percent of the total population.

Low Income Measures

The low income measures (LIMs) were developed by Statistics Canada in the 1990s. They, along with the low income cut-offs (LICOs) and the market basket measure (MBM), were created in order to measure and track the low income population of Canada. With low income measures, individuals are classified as being in low income if their income falls below fifty percent of the median adjusted household income. The median income is adjusted in order to reflect the differing financial needs of households based on the number of its members. The low income measures are a useful tool to compare low income populations between countries as they do not rely on an arbitrary standard of what constitutes the threshold for poverty. Statistics Canada insists that the low income measures are not meant to be representative of a poverty rate. The department has no measure which they define as a measurement of poverty in Canada. Latest data and trends In 2022, around 2.1 million people were living in low income families in Canada. This figure has been fluctuating over the years, both in absolute numbers and in proportion over the total population. More women than men were living in low income families in 2022, though the number of men in low income has risen at twice the rate as that of women. One of the more drastic changes has been the rise in the number of single individuals living in low income, increasing by more than 60 percent since 2000.

Poverty and low-income statistics by disability status, age group, sex and economic family type, Canada, annual.

Number of persons in low income, low income rate and average gap ratio by economic family type, annual.

Poverty and low-income statistics by visible minority group, Indigenous group and immigration status, Canada and provinces.

Low income cut-offs (LICOs) before and after tax by community size and family size, in current dollars, annual.

Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 0.100 % in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.100 % for 2016. Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.100 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.600 % in 1971 and a record low of 0.100 % in 2017. Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty gap at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $1.90 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.; ; World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from around 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Out of all OECD countries, Cost Rica had the highest poverty rate as of 2022, at over 20 percent. The country with the second highest poverty rate was the United States, with 18 percent. On the other end of the scale, Czechia had the lowest poverty rate at 6.4 percent, followed by Denmark.

The significance of the OECD

The OECD, or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, was founded in 1948 and is made up of 38 member countries. It seeks to improve the economic and social well-being of countries and their populations. The OECD looks at issues that impact people’s everyday lives and proposes policies that can help to improve the quality of life.

Poverty in the United States

In 2022, there were nearly 38 million people living below the poverty line in the U.S.. About one fourth of the Native American population lived in poverty in 2022, the most out of any ethnicity. In addition, the rate was higher among young women than young men. It is clear that poverty in the United States is a complex, multi-faceted issue that affects millions of people and is even more complex to solve.

Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 0.200 % in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.200 % for 2016. Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.200 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2017, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.000 % in 1971 and a record low of 0.100 % in 1987. Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty gap at $3.20 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $3.20 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from around 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Poverty and low-income statistics by disability status, age group, sex and economic family type, Canada, annual.

The CIS (Canadian Income Survey) Dataset contains detailed demographic, economic, and employment-related data of individuals across different provinces in Canada. The dataset is designed to assess key factors affecting income levels, employment history, and financial well-being at an individual level.

🔹 Dataset Overview

Total Variables: 36 (Covering demographic, employment, and financial attributes) Purpose: Used for analyzing income distribution, labor market trends, and economic well-being in Canada. Data Type: A mix of categorical, numerical, and binary data (e.g., Age, Gender, Income, Employment Status). Key Topics Covered: Demographics: Age, Gender, Marital Status, Immigrant Status Education & Employment: Highest Education, Years Worked, Weeks Employed Financial Data: Income after tax, Capital Gains, Pension, Investments Social Benefits: Childcare Benefits, Employment Insurance, Government Assistance

🔹 Significance of the Dataset ✔ Helps policymakers understand income inequality and poverty levels. ✔ Used for research on employment patterns and financial security. ✔ Supports decision-making on government subsidies and social welfare programs.

Data on individual low-income and poverty status by occupation broad category (1-digit code) from the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, industry sector (2-digit code) from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2017, and work activity during the reference year for the population aged 15 years and over in private households in Canada, provinces and territories, and census divisions.

Data on individual low-income and poverty status by occupation broad category (1-digit code) from the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, industry sector (2-digit code) from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2017, and work activity during the reference year for the population aged 15 years and over in private households in Canada, provinces and territories, and census divisions.

If you’re a senior with low income, you may qualify for monthly Guaranteed Annual Income System payments.

Maximum payment and allowable private income amounts for the period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 are:

• $90 monthly for single seniors (maximum monthly payment amount), your annual private income must be less than $4,320
• $180 monthly for senior couples (maximum monthly payment amount), your annual private income must be less than $8,640

The data is organized by private income levels. GAINS payments are provided on top of the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments you may receive from the federal government.

Learn more about the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System

This data is related to The Retirement Income System in Canada

Join the Ontario Ministry of Finance for a free webinar to help you learn about tax credits, benefits, and other programs available to support Ontario seniors with a low income. Visit ontario.ca/TaxTalk to learn more.

Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data was reported at 0.100 % in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.100 % for 2018. Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.200 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2019, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.600 % in 1971 and a record low of 0.100 % in 2019. Canada CA: Poverty Gap at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty gap at $2.15 a day (2017 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $2.15 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Low income measure (LIM) thresholds by household size for market income, total income and after-tax income, in current and constant dollars, annual.

Data on military service status by individual poverty status using the Market Basket Measure (MBM), individual low-income status, economic family characteristics of persons, highest certificate, diploma or degree, age and gender for the population aged 17 years and over in private households in Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts.

A dataset, 1970-2009, containing equivalently defined variables for the British Household Panel Study (BHPS), the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA), the Korea Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) (new this year), the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS-HSE) (new this year), the Swiss Household Panel (SHP), the Canadian Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID), and the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). The data are designed to allow cross-national researchers not experienced in panel data analysis to access a simplified version of these panels, while providing experienced panel data users with guidelines for formulating equivalent variables across countries. The CNEF permit researchers to track yearly changes in the health and economic well-being of older people relative to younger people in the study countries. The equivalent file provides a set of constructed variables (for example pre- and post-government income and United States and international household equivalence weights) that are not directly available on the original surveys. Since the Cross-National Equivalent File 1970-2009 can be merged with the original surveys, PSID-CNEF users can easily incorporate these constructed variables into current analyses. The most recent release of the Equivalent File includes: * BHPS data from 1991 to 2005 on over 21,000 individuals and approximately 6,000 households. * GSOEP data from 1984 to 2007 on over 20,000 individuals and approximately 6,000 households in Germany. * HILDA data from 2001 to 2006 on over 19,000 individuals and 7,000 households. * PSID data from 1980 to 2005 on over 33,000 individuals and approximately 7,000 households. * SHP data from 1999 to 2006 on 12,900 individuals and 5,000 households. * SLID data from 1993 to 2006 on over 95,000 individuals and approximately 32,000 households. With one exception, the CNEF country data are available on CD-ROM from Cornell University for a fee. The Canadian SLID data are not distributed on the CD but are available to CNEF registered researchers through special arrangements with Statistics Canada. Complete instructions for obtaining CNEF data may be accessed on the project website. * Dates of Study: 1980-2007 * Study Features: International, Longitudinal * Sample Size: ** BHPS: 21,000+ ** PSID: 33,000+ ** SLID: 95,000+ ** GSOEP: 20,000+ ** HILDA: 19,000+ ** SHP: 12,900+ NACDA link: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/NACDA/studies/00145/detail

The percentage of persons in low income for all persons in British Columbia stood at 11.6 percent in 2022. Between 1976 and 2022, the percentage of persons in low income rose by 0.4 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Proportion of the population living: in a dwelling owned by some members of the household; in core housing need and; in suitable dwelling, proportion of the population living alone, poverty rate (MBM), prevalence of low income (LIM-AT) and (LIM-BT), knowledge of official languages, by visible minority and selected characteristics (gender, age group, first official language spoken, immigrant status, period of immigration, generation status and highest certificate, degree or diploma).

Poverty, usually measured using income, and poor health are closely related. Income is one of the non-medical determinants of health. The poor experience the highest rates of illness and premature death. The income measures are for the year 1995 as reported in the 1996 Census. In that year, the average total income for males was $31 117. However, significant regional variations in average income are apparent. Higher incomes predominate in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Most census divisions in Atlantic Canada fall within the lower income levels. The distributions of average total income for males and females are similar. The income-health relationship is not well known, but general linkages have been identified. Notably, health improves at every step up the income ladder.