Share of population living in extreme poverty in Canada
Canada: Share of population living in extreme poverty was 1.0% in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in extreme poverty in Canada, 1820–2018
Source: Michalis Moatsos (2021) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2018, share of population living in extreme poverty in Canada stood at 1.0%.
Over the whole period, share of population living in extreme poverty in Canada peaked at 74.0% in 1820 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
Canada ranks 14th of 25 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in extreme poverty in Canada, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 74.0% | — |
| 1830 | 69.0% | -6.8% |
| 1840 | 58.0% | -15.9% |
| 1850 | 44.0% | -24.1% |
| 1860 | 41.0% | -6.8% |
| 1870 | 35.0% | -14.6% |
| 1880 | 35.0% | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 28.0% | -20.0% |
| 1900 | 19.0% | -32.1% |
| 1910 | 9.0% | -52.6% |
| 1920 | 10.0% | +11.1% |
| 1930 | 7.0% | -30.0% |
| 1940 | 2.0% | -71.4% |
| 1950 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1960 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 0.0% | — |
| 2000 | 1.0% | — |
| 2010 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2018 | 1.0% | — |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1820s | 74.0% | 74.0% | 74.0% | 1 |
| 1830s | 69.0% | 69.0% | 69.0% | 1 |
| 1840s | 58.0% | 58.0% | 58.0% | 1 |
| 1850s | 44.0% | 44.0% | 44.0% | 1 |
| 1860s | 41.0% | 41.0% | 41.0% | 1 |
| 1870s | 35.0% | 35.0% | 35.0% | 1 |
| 1880s | 35.0% | 35.0% | 35.0% | 1 |
| 1890s | 28.0% | 28.0% | 28.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 19.0% | 19.0% | 19.0% | 1 |
| 1910s | 9.0% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 1 |
| 1920s | 10.0% | 10.0% | 10.0% | 1 |
| 1930s | 7.0% | 7.0% | 7.0% | 1 |
| 1940s | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2.0% | 1 |
| 1950s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 1960s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 1970s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 0.5% | 0.0% | 1.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 14 Japan 1.0% compare
- 14 Sweden 1.0% compare
- 14 Thailand 1.0% compare
- 14 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1.0% compare
- 14 United States of America 1.0% compare
More poverty & inequality data for Canada
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 7 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 1.35 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 3,695 kg per hectare (2023)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate -9.41 % change on previous year (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 34.78 (2023)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 34.8% (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in extreme poverty in Canada?
- Share of population living in extreme poverty in Canada was 1.0% in 2018, according to Michalis Moatsos (2021) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in extreme poverty recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 74.0% in 1820.
- What is the lowest share of population living in extreme poverty recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does Canada rank for share of population living in extreme poverty?
- Canada ranks 14th out of 25 countries with data for 2018.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from Michalis Moatsos (2021) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in extreme poverty. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population unable to meet basic needs (including minimal nutrition and adequately heated shelter) according to prices of locally-available goods and services at the time..