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Indicators of Well-being in Canada


Financial Security - Family Income

Status

  1. Standard of Living
  2. Family Income
  3. Retirement Income
  4. Low Income Incidence
  5. Low Income Persistence
  6. Net Worth (Wealth)

Life events

  1. Personal Bankruptcies

Key influences

  1. Income Distribution
Definition and Methodology | Display High Contrast Charts

Relevance

The family serves as a basic economic unit, with members providing support to one another. The level of after-tax income of family members determines whether families have sufficient resources to purchase the goods and services needed for well-being.

Summary

  • National Picture — In 2010, the median after-tax income in Canada stood at $65,500 for economic families and at $26,000 for unattached individuals.
  • Family Types — In 2010, couples with children had the highest level of median after-tax income and unattached individuals had the lowest.
  • Regions — In 2010, median after-tax incomes were the highest in Alberta for both economic families and unattached individuals. For economic families and individuals living in the largest urban areas, the median after-tax income was higher than the national median.
  • Government Transfers as a Component of Family Income — Government transfers represented on average 11.8% of the total income of economic families and 17.5% of the total income of unattached individuals. However, they represented more than half of the total income of low income individuals and families.

National Picture

The median after-tax income in Canada stood at $65,500 in 2010 for economic families and at $26,000 for unattached individuals. Median after-tax income (in 2010 constant dollars) for unattached individuals  ranged from a low of $19,900 in 1983, 1996 and 1997 to a high of $26,000 in 2010. The median after-tax income for economic families experienced decreases in the early 1980s and 1990s, reaching the lowest level of the last 35 years in 1993 at $51,700.

The median after-tax income for both economic families and unattached individuals started to increase again in 1997.  It has been higher than the 1976 level since 2000. In economic families, it peaked in 2008, and for unattached individuals it continued to grow through 2010.  


This Chart contains data for Median after-tax income, by family unit, Canada, 1976-2010. Information is available in table below 2010 (All families) = 49,300 2009 (All families) = 49,500 2008 (All families) = 49,700 2007 (All families) = 49,000 2006 (All families) = 47,600 2005 (All families) = 46,500 2004 (All families) = 45,400 2003 (All families) = 45,100 2002 (All families) = 45,100 2001 (All families) = 45,200 2000 (All families) = 43,400 1999 (All families) = 43,200 1998 (All families) = 41,300 1997 (All families) = 40,300 1996 (All families) = 40,400 1995 (All families) = 41,100 1994 (All families) = 41,100 1993 (All families) = 40,800 1992 (All families) = 41,900 1991 (All families) = 41,500 1990 (All families) = 43,800 1989 (All families) = 45,700 1988 (All families) = 45,000 1987 (All families) = 43,800 1986 (All families) = 44,100 1985 (All families) = 44,300 1984 (All families) = 44,200 1983 (All families) = 43,700 1982 (All families) = 45,400 1981 (All families) = 46,800 1980 (All families) = 48,100 1979 (All families) = 46,900 1978 (All families) = 47,400 1977 (All families) = 47,400 1976 (All families) = 46,600 2010 (Economic families) = 65,500 2009 (Economic families) = 65,400 2008 (Economic families) = 65,500 2007 (Economic families) = 64,800 2006 (Economic families) = 62,300 2005 (Economic families) = 61,000 2004 (Economic families) = 60,000 2003 (Economic families) = 59,200 2002 (Economic families) = 59,200 2001 (Economic families) = 59,400 2000 (Economic families) = 57,000 1999 (Economic families) = 56,200 1998 (Economic families) = 54,300 1997 (Economic families) = 52,300 1996 (Economic families) = 52,100 1995 (Economic families) = 52,100 1994 (Economic families) = 52,600 1993 (Economic families) = 51,700 1992 (Economic families) = 53,400 1991 (Economic families) = 53,000 1990 (Economic families) = 55,100 1989 (Economic families) = 57,300 1988 (Economic families) = 56,400 1987 (Economic families) = 54,800 1986 (Economic families) = 55,000 1985 (Economic families) = 54,700 1984 (Economic families) = 54,100 1983 (Economic families) = 53,300 1982 (Economic families) = 54,800 1981 (Economic families) = 56,800 1980 (Economic families) = 57,900 1979 (Economic families) = 56,800 1978 (Economic families) = 57,000 1977 (Economic families) = 56,400 1976 (Economic families) = 55,700 2010 (Unattached individuals) = 26,000 2009 (Unattached individuals) = 25,900 2008 (Unattached individuals) = 25,500 2007 (Unattached individuals) = 25,100 2006 (Unattached individuals) = 24,200 2005 (Unattached individuals) = 23,300 2004 (Unattached individuals) = 23,500 2003 (Unattached individuals) = 23,200 2002 (Unattached individuals) = 23,600 2001 (Unattached individuals) = 22,700 2000 (Unattached individuals) = 21,700 1999 (Unattached individuals) = 21,000 1998 (Unattached individuals) = 20,500 1997 (Unattached individuals) = 19,900 1996 (Unattached individuals) = 19,900 1995 (Unattached individuals) = 20,400 1994 (Unattached individuals) = 20,000 1993 (Unattached individuals) = 20,200 1992 (Unattached individuals) = 20,200 1991 (Unattached individuals) = 20,200 1990 (Unattached individuals) = 21,500 1989 (Unattached individuals) = 22,800 1988 (Unattached individuals) = 21,700 1987 (Unattached individuals) = 21,500 1986 (Unattached individuals) = 21,300 1985 (Unattached individuals) = 20,900 1984 (Unattached individuals) = 21,200 1983 (Unattached individuals) = 19,900 1982 (Unattached individuals) = 22,000 1981 (Unattached individuals) = 22,700 1980 (Unattached individuals) = 21,700 1979 (Unattached individuals) = 22,400 1978 (Unattached individuals) = 21,800 1977 (Unattached individuals) = 21,000 1976 (Unattached individuals) = 21,400 (2010 constant dollars) Median after-tax income, by family unit, Canada, 1976-2010

Source: Statistics Canada. Median after-tax income, by economic family type, 2010 constant dollars, annual (CANSIM Table 202-0605). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Median after-tax income, by family unit, Canada, 1976-2010 (2010 constant dollars)
19761977197819791980198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010
All families46,60047,40047,40046,90048,10046,80045,40043,70044,20044,30044,10043,80045,00045,70043,80041,50041,90040,80041,10041,10040,40040,30041,30043,20043,40045,20045,10045,10045,40046,50047,60049,00049,70049,50049,300
Economic families55,70056,40057,00056,80057,90056,80054,80053,30054,10054,70055,00054,80056,40057,30055,10053,00053,40051,70052,60052,10052,10052,30054,30056,20057,00059,40059,20059,20060,00061,00062,30064,80065,50065,40065,500
Unattached individuals21,40021,00021,80022,40021,70022,70022,00019,90021,20020,90021,30021,50021,70022,80021,50020,20020,20020,20020,00020,40019,90019,90020,50021,00021,70022,70023,60023,20023,50023,30024,20025,10025,50025,90026,000

Family Types

In 2010, the highest median after-tax incomes were for couples with children ($78,800) and couples without children ($64,900). The lowest were for unattached individuals ($26,000) and lone-parent families ($39,900). The median after-tax income for elderly families was $46,800, below the median for all families at $49,300.


This Chart contains data for Median after-tax income, by family type, 2010. Information is available in table below Elderly families = 46,800 Couples without children = 64,900 Couples with children = 78,800 Lone-parent families = 39,900 Unattached individuals = 26,000 All families = 49,300 (dollars) Median after-tax income, by family type, 2010

Note: Family types are exclusive of one another. The category 'All families' includes all the types of households identified in this chart.

Source: Statistics Canada. Median after-tax income, by economic family type, 2010 constant dollars, annual (CANSIM Table 202-0605). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Median after-tax income, by family type, 2010 (dollars)
All familiesUnattached individualsLone-parent familiesCouples with childrenCouples without childrenElderly families
49,30026,00039,90078,80064,90046,800

Regions

The median after-tax income for economic families varied across Canada in 2011. Families living in Alberta ($78,100), Saskatchewan ($70,100) and Ontario ($69,300) had the highest median after-tax incomes. Families in Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest median after-tax income at $56,300.

For families living in one of the large urban areas, the median after-tax income was $70,300, which is higher than the national median of $65,500. The median income was lower for all other areas, at $59,800 in 2010.


This Chart contains data for Median after-tax income, economic families, by region, 2010. Information is available in table below Other areas = 59,800 Large urban areas = 70,300 BC = 67,000 AB = 78,100 SK = 70,100 MB = 64,500 ON = 69,300 QC = 58,100 NB = 58,900 NS = 56,800 PE = 56,400 NL = 56,300 CAN = 65,500 (dollars) Median after-tax income, economic families, by region, 2010

Note: The category "Large urban areas" is made up of the 20 largest Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). For the list of areas included in the category 'Large urban areas', see large urban areas. The category 'Other areas' includes all of the other Canadian urban areas as well as rural communities.

Source: Statistics Canada. Median after-tax income, by economic family type, 2010 constant dollars, annual (CANSIM Table 202-0605). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Median after-tax income, economic families, by region, 2010 (dollars)
CANNLPENSNBQCONMBSKABBCLarge urban areasOther areas
65,50056,30056,40056,80058,90058,10069,30064,50070,10078,10067,00070,30059,800

Among unattached individuals, the median after-tax income varied from $19,300 for those living in Newfoundland and Labrador to $32,600 for those living in Alberta in 2010. Unattached indiviudals living in one of the largest urban areas had a higher median after-tax income ($27,800) than those living in other areas ($23,500).


This Chart contains data for Median after-tax income, unattached individuals, by region, 2010. Information is available in table below Other areas = 23,500 Large urban areas = 27,800 BC = 24,400 AB = 32,600 SK = 27,000 MB = 25,100 ON = 27,800 QC = 23,900 NB = 22,100 NS = 21,900 PE = 25,800 NL = 19,300 CAN = 26,000 (dollars) Median after-tax income, unattached individuals, by region, 2010

Note: The category "Large urban areas" is made up of the 20 largest Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). For the list of areas included in the category 'Large urban areas', see large urban areas. The category 'Other areas' includes all of the other Canadian urban areas as well as rural communities.

Source: Statistics Canada. Median after-tax income, by economic family type, 2010 constant dollars, annual (CANSIM Table 202-0605). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Median after-tax income, unattached individuals, by region, 2010 (dollars)
CANNLPENSNBQCONMBSKABBCLarge urban areasOther areas
26,00019,30025,80021,90022,10023,90027,80025,10027,00032,60024,40027,80023,500

Government Transfers as a Component of Family Income

The ratio of government transfers to income from all sources stood at 11.8% in 2010 for economic families and at 17.5% for unattached individuals. In 1976, the ratio was 7.6% for economic families and 12.4% for unattached individuals. Government transfers as a share of total income increased in the early 1980s and 1990s, coinciding with periods of recession. The proportion of transfers in total income began to fall in the mid-1990s, but has remained above the 1976 level.


This Chart contains data for Proportion of government transfers in total income, by family unit, Canada, 1976-2010. Information is available in table below 2010 (All families) = 12.8 2009 (All families) = 12.5 2008 (All families) = 11.4 2007 (All families) = 11.4 2006 (All families) = 11.6 2005 (All families) = 11.4 2004 (All families) = 11.7 2003 (All families) = 11.9 2002 (All families) = 11.9 2001 (All families) = 11.9 2000 (All families) = 11.5 1999 (All families) = 12.2 1998 (All families) = 13.4 1997 (All families) = 13.8 1996 (All families) = 14.2 1995 (All families) = 14.3 1994 (All families) = 15 1993 (All families) = 15.2 1992 (All families) = 14.6 1991 (All families) = 13.8 1990 (All families) = 12.2 1989 (All families) = 11 1988 (All families) = 11 1987 (All families) = 11 1986 (All families) = 11.1 1985 (All families) = 11.2 1984 (All families) = 11.5 1983 (All families) = 11.2 1982 (All families) = 10.7 1981 (All families) = 8.8 1980 (All families) = 8.7 1979 (All families) = 8.1 1978 (All families) = 8.7 1977 (All families) = 8.8 1976 (All families) = 8.2 2010 (Economic families) = 11.8 2009 (Economic families) = 11.5 2008 (Economic families) = 10.3 2007 (Economic families) = 10.4 2006 (Economic families) = 10.7 2005 (Economic families) = 10.4 2004 (Economic families) = 10.6 2003 (Economic families) = 10.7 2002 (Economic families) = 10.6 2001 (Economic families) = 10.6 2000 (Economic families) = 10.1 1999 (Economic families) = 10.8 1998 (Economic families) = 11.8 1997 (Economic families) = 12.1 1996 (Economic families) = 12.6 1995 (Economic families) = 12.9 1994 (Economic families) = 13.3 1993 (Economic families) = 13.7 1992 (Economic families) = 13.1 1991 (Economic families) = 12.3 1990 (Economic families) = 10.9 1989 (Economic families) = 9.8 1988 (Economic families) = 9.7 1987 (Economic families) = 9.9 1986 (Economic families) = 10.1 1985 (Economic families) = 10.2 1984 (Economic families) = 10.5 1983 (Economic families) = 10.2 1982 (Economic families) = 9.9 1981 (Economic families) = 7.9 1980 (Economic families) = 7.8 1979 (Economic families) = 7.4 1978 (Economic families) = 8.1 1977 (Economic families) = 8.2 1976 (Economic families) = 7.6 2010 (Unattached individuals) = 17.5 2009 (Unattached individuals) = 17.4 2008 (Unattached individuals) = 16.6 2007 (Unattached individuals) = 16 2006 (Unattached individuals) = 15.9 2005 (Unattached individuals) = 16.4 2004 (Unattached individuals) = 17.4 2003 (Unattached individuals) = 17.5 2002 (Unattached individuals) = 18.6 2001 (Unattached individuals) = 18.6 2000 (Unattached individuals) = 18.8 1999 (Unattached individuals) = 19.1 1998 (Unattached individuals) = 21.7 1997 (Unattached individuals) = 22.7 1996 (Unattached individuals) = 22.8 1995 (Unattached individuals) = 21.9 1994 (Unattached individuals) = 23.9 1993 (Unattached individuals) = 23.4 1992 (Unattached individuals) = 22.6 1991 (Unattached individuals) = 21.9 1990 (Unattached individuals) = 19.1 1989 (Unattached individuals) = 17.3 1988 (Unattached individuals) = 17.9 1987 (Unattached individuals) = 17.5 1986 (Unattached individuals) = 17.1 1985 (Unattached individuals) = 17.2 1984 (Unattached individuals) = 17.4 1983 (Unattached individuals) = 17.4 1982 (Unattached individuals) = 15.2 1981 (Unattached individuals) = 14.1 1980 (Unattached individuals) = 14 1979 (Unattached individuals) = 12.4 1978 (Unattached individuals) = 13.3 1977 (Unattached individuals) = 13.1 1976 (Unattached individuals) = 12.4 (percent) Proportion of government transfers in total income, by family unit, Canada, 1976-2010

Source: Statistics Canada. Government transfers, by economic family type and after-tax income quintiles, 2010 constant dollars, annual (CANSIM Table 202-0301). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Proportion of government transfers in total income, by family unit, Canada, 1976-2010 (percent)
19761977197819791980198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010
All families8.28.88.78.18.78.810.711.211.511.211.111111112.213.814.615.21514.314.213.813.412.211.511.911.911.911.711.411.611.411.412.512.8
Economic families7.68.28.17.47.87.99.910.210.510.210.19.99.79.810.912.313.113.713.312.912.612.111.810.810.110.610.610.710.610.410.710.410.311.511.8
Unattached individuals12.413.113.312.41414.115.217.417.417.217.117.517.917.319.121.922.623.423.921.922.822.721.719.118.818.618.617.517.416.415.91616.617.417.5

Government transfers are more important for individuals and economic families with low earnings, including retired seniors.

In 2010, government transfers accounted for, on average, 52.2% of total income for economic families in the bottom 20% income group and 26.3% for those in the next 20% income group. Among economic families in the middle 20% income group, 14.3% of total income came from government transfers, while for the second highest and the highest groups, government transfers represented 7.8% and 3.1% of total income respectively[1].

Government transfers also accounted for a larger share of total income for unattached individuals than for economic families. In 2010, unattached individuals in the two lowest income groups received more than half of their total income from government transfers (60.0% for the lowest income group and 60.1% for the second lowest income group). This compares to 30.2% for those in the middle income group, 12.6% for those in the second highest income group and 3.5% for the highest[2].


Footnotes

  1. Statistics Canada. Government transfers, by economic family type and after-tax income quintiles, 2010 constant dollars, annual (CANSIM Table 202-0301). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.

    [Back to Text]

  2. Statistics Canada. Government transfers, by economic family type and after-tax income quintiles, 2010 constant dollars, annual (CANSIM Table 202-0301). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2012.

    [Back to Text]

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Date Modified:
2013-05-21