Income in Canada, 2020

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Release date: July 13, 2022
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Infographic: Income in Canada, 2020
Description: Income in Canada, 2020

In 2020, the median after-tax income of Canadian households was $73,000, up 9.8% from 2015.Note 1

Median income also increased in 8 of the 10 largest urban centres.


Median after-tax income of households in Canada and 10 largest Urban Centres
Table summary
This table displays the results of Median after-tax income of households in Canada and 10 largest Urban Centres 2015 and 2020, calculated using Dollars units of measure (appearing as column headers).
2015 2020
dollars
Canada 66,500 73,000
Calgary 92,000 87,000
Toronto 74,500 85,000
Ottawa-Gatineau 75,500 84,000
Edmonton 87,000 84,000
Hamilton 71,500 80,000
Vancouver 68,500 79,500
Winnipeg 66,000 71,500
London 62,400 71,000
Montréal 58,000 65,500
Québec 60,400 65,500

In 2020, 84% of Canadians 15 and older received income from government transfers, up sharply from 69% in 2015. This increase was largely driven by the COVID-19 emergency and recovery benefits they received in 2020.Note 2 Median amounts received from government transfers also increased.


Percentage of Canadians 15 and older who received government transfers
Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentage of Canadians 15 and older who received government transfers 2015 and 2020, calculated using Pourcent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
2015 2020
percent
Government transfers 69 84
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement 18 20
Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan benefits 23 25
Employment Insurance benefits 9 11
Child benefits 14 13
Other (including COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Benefits) 47 75
COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Benefits only Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 28
.. not available for a specific reference period

Median income from government transfers
Table summary
This table displays the results of Median income from government transfers 2015 and 2020, calculated using Dollars units of measure (appearing as column headers).
2015 2020
dollars
Government transfers 5,880 9,800
Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement 7,350 7,650
Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan benefits 8,000 8,100
Employment Insurance benefits 6,080 5,720
Child benefits 4,160 5,840
Other (including COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Benefits) 675 1,960
COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Benefits only Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 8,000
.. not available for a specific reference period

In 2020, 11.1% of Canadians were in low income, compared with 14.4% in 2015.Note 3 This was the biggest five-year decrease since 1976.

While the prevalence of low income decreased sharply among Canadians aged 0-54, it increased slightly among those 65 and over.


Low-income rate by age group
Table summary
This table displays the results of Low-income rate by age group 2015 and 2020, calculated using Pourcent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
2015 2020
percent
Total 14.4 11.1
0 to 17 17.5 11.9
18 to 24 17.2 11.6
25 to 54 12.5 8.7
55 to 64 13.3 11.2
65 and over 14.4 15.0

Income inequality measured using the Gini coefficient and P90/P10 ratio of adjusted after-tax income of households declined between 2015 and 2020, and at a greater rate than between 2010 and 2015.Note 4


table 5
Table summary
This table displays the results of table 5. The information is grouped by Year (appearing as row headers), Gini coefficient of adjusted after-tax income of households (appearing as column headers).
Year Gini coefficient of adjusted after-tax income of households
2010 0.343
2015 0.342
2020 0.302

In 2020, the 90th percentile of the adjusted after-tax income of households was 3.8X as much as the 10th percentile.


table 6
Table summary
This table displays the results of table 6. The information is grouped by Year (appearing as row headers), P90/P10 ratio of adjusted after-tax income of households (appearing as column headers).
Year P90/P10 ratio of adjusted after-tax income of households
2010 4.9
2015 4.6
2020 3.8

Sources: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, 2016 Census of Population, 2011 National Household Survey.

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2022

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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