The percentage of persons in low income for all persons in Ontario amounted to 12.1 percent in 2022. Between 1976 and 2022, the percentage of persons in low income rose by 1.6 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

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.

Market Basket Measure (MBM) thresholds for the reference family by MBM region and base year. Total thresholds as well as thresholds for the food, clothing, transportation, shelter and other expenses components are presented, in current and constant dollars, annual.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Ontario County, NY (S1701ACS036069) from 2012 to 2023 about Ontario County, NY; Rochester; NY; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

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

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Ontario County, NY was 9.20% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Ontario County, NY reached a record high of 10.40 in January of 2014 and a record low of 8.50 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Ontario County, NY - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

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.

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

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

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

In 2021, around 0.9 million people were living in low income families in Ontario. Ontario had the largest number of individuals living in low income households. Quebec and British Columbia followed with 504 thousand and 287 thousand, respectively.

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