This infographic provides a snapshot of how rising prices are affecting the Canadian population in 2022. It uses data from the Portrait of Canadian Society - Impacts of Rising Prices survey. It examines how recent rising prices are affecting Canadians' ability to meet day-to-day expenses, the areas in which people have been most affected and what people have started doing or are doing more than before to deal with rising prices.
Description - Impacts of rising prices on Canadians
Nearly 3 in 4 Canadians reported that rising prices are affecting their ability to meet day-to-day expenses.
Those in the bottom three household income quintiles have been affected more by rising prices.
| Income quintile | Percentage of those whose ability to meet day-to-day expenses is affected somewhat or a lot by rising prices |
|---|---|
| Lowest quintile | 85% |
| Second quintile | 78% |
| Third quintile | 77% |
| Fourth quintile | 66% |
| Highest quintile | 56% |
In the past six months, Canadians were affected most by rising food prices, followed by rising transportation and housing costs.
| Areas most affected by rising prices... | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Food | 43% |
| Transportation (including gasoline) | 32% |
| Housing | 9% |
| Household operations | 8% |
| Recreation | 5% |
| Education | 2% |
1 in 5 Canadians said it is somewhat or very likely that they will have to obtain free meals or food from community organizations if food prices continue to rise over the next six months.
To cope with rising prices, many Canadians have adjusted their spending habits and lifestyle over the past six months.
| Changes in spending habits in the past six months | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Sought sales and promotions | 50% |
| Purchased cheaper alternatives, brands or items | 47% |
| Delayed making a purchase | 45% |
| Often or sometimes borrowed money to meet day-to-day expenses | 27% |
| Delayed buying a home or moving to a new rental | 24% |
| Had to draw on savings to pay for expenses | 24% |
Source: Statistics Canada, “Rising prices are affecting the ability to meet day-to-day expenses for most Canadians.” The Daily. June 2022; Portrait of Canadian Society – Impacts of Rising, April 19 to May 1, 2022.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).