A snapshot of poverty in Canada, 2025.
Statistics Canada (2025)
Statistics at a Glance
“Lone-parent families are significantly poorer than all other household types in Canada. In 2021, 13% of children living in lone-parent families were in poverty compared to just 4% of children living in two-parent families” (Canadian Poverty Institute, n.d.).
Racialized groups experience higher levels of poverty. In 2021, the rate of poverty in racialized groups was 11%, compared to 6% of non-racialized groups (Canadian Poverty Institute, n.d.).
Indigenous people experience higher levels of poverty as well. In 2021, the poverty rate for Indigenous people was 9%, compared to 7% of non-Indigenous (Canadian Poverty Institute, n.d.).
Disabled people are also at higher risk of experiencing poverty; 15% of people living with a disability experience poverty, 59% of them are women.
These statistics illuminate the complex, multifaceted adversities marginalized individuals experience. Poverty is something that is experienced at higher rates for numerous at-risk demographics, as noted above. This is a result of systemic and structural barriers and oppression, historical colonization, and inadequate support for individuals of these communities.