Following 10 consecutive years of growth, the median after-tax income of families decreased to $59,300 (-2.8%) in 2021. This decrease was seen in all provinces and territories, led by Nunavut (-7.7%) and Manitoba (-4.9%). The three largest regional decreases in median family after-tax income occurred in the Windsor (-5.7%), Winnipeg (-5.0%) and Toronto (-4.9%) census metropolitan areas (CMAs).
The decrease in after-tax income was due in large part to the end of several benefits issued by the government in 2020 to financially support Canadians affected by loss of employment income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was partially offset by a limited rebound of employment income in 2021. Lower income families were more impacted by the end of government COVID-19 benefits, especially lone-parent families with children under 6 years old. Accordingly, low-income rates and income inequality also rose in 2021.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).