Poverty rates of older women living in Canada

Release date: December 4, 2024

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Infographic: Poverty rates of older women living in Canada — Description: Poverty rates of older women living in Canada

From 2015 to 2020, the likelihood of living in poverty^{Note 1} declined among individuals aged 65 and older, and especially among women in this age group. As a result, the gender gap narrowed.

Table 1 Table summary
This table displays the results of . The information is grouped by Poverty rate of women and men 65 years and older (appearing as row headers), , calculated using (appearing as column headers).

Poverty rate of women and men^{Note 2} 65 years and older 2015 2020

Women+ 8.9% 5.0%

Men+ 7.2% 4.3%

Gender gap
(percentage points) 1.7 0.7

Among older women, racialized women were more likely to live in poverty than non-racialized women in 2020.

Table 2 Table summary
This table displays the results of . The information is grouped by Poverty rate of racialized and non-racialized women 65 years and older, 2020 (appearing as row headers), calculated using (appearing as column headers).

Poverty rate of racialized and non-racialized women 65 years and older, 2020^{Note 3} percent

Racialized women+ 9.1%

Non-racialized women+ 4.2%

In 2020, the poverty rate varied significantly among racialized groups of older women. Arab women had the highest poverty rate, while Filipino women had the lowest.

Table 3 Table summary
This table displays the results of . The information is grouped by Poverty rate of women 65 years and older, by racialized group, 2020 (appearing as row headers), calculated using (appearing as column headers).

Poverty rate of women 65 years and older, by racialized group, 2020 percent

Non-racialized women+ 4.2%

Latin American women+ 10.7%

Arab women+ 16.8%

Filipino women+ 5.8%

Black women+ 8.0%

Chinese women+ 11.3%

South Asian women+ 6.1%

**Note:** This infographic was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.

**Source:** Leclerc, Karine, 2024, “The poverty rate and low-income situation of older persons in Canada: An intersectional analysis,” *Studies on Gender and Intersecting Identities*, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 45-20-0002.

Notes

Footnote 1.

In Canada, the poverty rate is calculated using the Market Basket Measure (MBM). The MBM is based on the cost of a specific basket of goods and services representing a modest, basic standard of living.

Return to note 1 referrer

Footnote 2.

The category “women+” includes women as well as some non-binary persons, while the category “men+” includes men as well as some non-binary persons.

Return to note 2 referrer

Footnote 3.

Data on racialized groups are measured using the “visible minority” variable. The “non-racialized group” is measured based on the category “not a visible minority” in the visible minority variable and excludes Indigenous people.

Return to note 3 referrer

Table 1 Table summary
This table displays the results of . The information is grouped by Poverty rate of women and men 65 years and older (appearing as row headers), , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
Poverty rate of women and men^{Note 2} 65 years and older	2015	2020
Women+	8.9%	5.0%
Men+	7.2%	4.3%
Gender gap (percentage points)	1.7	0.7

Table 2 Table summary
This table displays the results of . The information is grouped by Poverty rate of racialized and non-racialized women 65 years and older, 2020 (appearing as row headers), calculated using (appearing as column headers).
Poverty rate of racialized and non-racialized women 65 years and older, 2020^{Note 3}	percent
Racialized women+	9.1%
Non-racialized women+	4.2%

Table 3 Table summary
This table displays the results of . The information is grouped by Poverty rate of women 65 years and older, by racialized group, 2020 (appearing as row headers), calculated using (appearing as column headers).
Poverty rate of women 65 years and older, by racialized group, 2020	percent
Non-racialized women+	4.2%
Latin American women+	10.7%
Arab women+	16.8%
Filipino women+	5.8%
Black women+	8.0%
Chinese women+	11.3%
South Asian women+	6.1%

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

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

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified:: 2024-12-04

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Poverty rates of older women living in Canada