Social inclusion indicators for Canada's ethnocultural groups: Income and wealth

Additional information

The Data visualization tool — Social Inclusion indicators for Canada's ethnocultural groups: Income and wealth is part of a conceptual framework on social inclusion and covers a total of 11 themes. Each theme has a similar interactive visualization tool that is accessible on the page Data visualization tools — Social Inclusion indicators for Canada's ethnocultural groups.

These themes are participation in the labour market, representation in decision-making positions, civic engagement and political participation, basic needs and housing, health and well-being, education and skills development, income and wealth, social connections and personal networks, local community, public services and institutions, and discrimination and victimization.

The framework, the indicators and the visualization tools are products released by the Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics that aim to support Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy by providing evidence. Over 120 indicators can be used to examine various socioeconomic facets of visible minorities which are being referred to as "racialized population" in analytical and communication products at Statistics Canada.

Definitions, concepts and geography

In 2021 Census analytical and communications products, the term "visible minority" has been replaced by the terms "racialized population" or "racialized groups," reflecting the increased use of these terms in the public sphere. For technical reasons the term "visible minority" is used in this data visualization tool. The data displayed in this visualization tool are measured from the standard census variable of visible minority.

Visible minority refers to whether a person is a visible minority or not, as defined by the Employment Equity Act. The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as "persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour." The visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese.

For data quality reasons or to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act, the category of "West Asian," "Korean," "Japanese," "Visible minority not included elsewhere," and "Not specified" are included in "Total — Visible minority" and "Total visible minority population," but not available as an option of selection in the drop-down menu for the data from the 2021 Canadian Housing Survey of this data visualization tool.

Gender and sex

The gender question was introduced in the Census of Population in 2021. Prior to 2021, the census only collected information on sex, which referred at the time to whether the person was male or female. The terminology related to sex is used in this data visualization tool for some indicators from the census prior to 2021. Although sex and gender refer to two different concepts, the introduction of gender is not expected to have a significant impact on data analysis and historical comparability, given the small size of the transgender and non-binary populations.

For additional information on changes of concepts over time, please consult the Age, Sex at Birth and Gender Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Geography

In this data visualization tool, the data from the 2021 Canadian Housing Survey can only be disaggregated at the Canada level.

The social inclusion indicators from the censuses of the population can be disaggregated at the Canada level, geographical region of Canada, province or territory and census metropolitan area (CMA).

Definitions

For more information on each indicator linked to income from the Census, please consult the Income Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Average employment income

This indicator represents the population that reported employment income in the calendar year preceding before the census. Employment income includes income from a salary, wages, tips and/or commissions, as well as income from self-employment.

Average weekly earnings of full-time employees

This is the average weekly income from a salary, wages, tips and/or commissions of employed persons who worked mainly full-time weeks (30 hours or more per week) in the year preceding the census (between 48 and 52 weeks worked).

Difficulty and ease in meeting household financial needs (2)

These two indicators refer to the population living in housing where the reference person reported that it was, in the 12 past months, "Very difficult" or "Difficult" or; "Very easy" or "Easy" for their household to meet its financial needs in terms of transportation, housing, food, clothing and necessary expenses. The percentages of the indicators are calculated including non-response categories ("Refusal," "Don't know," and "Not stated") in the denominator.

Poverty rate (MBM)

The proportion or percentage of units whose income falls below a specified poverty line. The Market Basket Measure (MBM) refers to Canada's official measure of poverty based on the cost of a specific basket of goods and services representing a modest, basic standard of living developed by Employment and Social Development Canada. For more information on the measure of the MBM, please consult the definition of "Market Basket Measure (MBM)" from the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021.

Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT)

The proportion or percentage of units whose income falls below a specified low-income line. Refers to the income situation of a person in relation to the Low-income measure, after-tax (LIM-AT). Persons with income that is below this low-income line are considered to be in low income.

Prevalence of low income (LIM-BT)

The proportion or percentage of units whose income falls below a specified low-income line. Refers to the income situation of a person in relation to the Low-income measure, before-tax (LIM-BT). Persons with income that is below this low-income line are considered to be in low income.

Average total household income, adjusted for the number of persons

"Adjusted total income" refers to total income of the household that is adjusted for the number of persons in the household. The average income is calculated by dividing the aggregate income of the household members by the number of persons in that group.

Related products

Reference guide on social inclusion indicators for Canada's ethnocultural groups

The Daily - Housing conditions among racialized groups: a brief overview

The Daily - Portraits of the social, political and economic participation of racialized groups