Earnings as a proportion of income, by province

Albertans report the highest proportion of total income in the form of earnings

• The proportion of total income accounted for by earnings varies from province to province. In 2003, for example, earnings represented 82% of the total income of Albertans but only 68% of the income of residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. Meanwhile, there was a higher proportion of government transfers in Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island (23% and 20% respectively, versus 9% in Alberta).
• There are also provincial differences in the proportion of total income accounted for by retirement and investment income. The national average for total income made up of retirement income was 7% in 2003. Nova Scotia had the highest proportion (9%), while Alberta had the lowest (4%). With respect to total income made up of investment income, the average for all Canadians was 3%. Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia (each at 4%) had a slightly higher proportion, while Newfoundland and Labrador (1%) and New Brunswick (2%) had the lowest.

Enlarge chart