Canada is a vast and diverse country, with 10 provinces and three territories that span six time zones and cover almost 10 million square kilometers. The economic and social conditions of each region vary widely, and so does the income level of its residents. In this article, we will explore the average monthly income in Canada by province, based on the latest data from Statistics Canada and other sources.
## What is the average monthly income in Canada?
The average monthly income in Canada is the amount of money that a person or a household earns from various sources, such as wages, salaries, self-employment, investments, pensions, government transfers, and other income. The average monthly income can be measured before or after taxes and deductions, and it can be adjusted for inflation and the cost of living.
According to Statistics Canada, the median after-tax income of families and unattached individuals in Canada was $68,400 in 2020, which translates to $5,700 per month. The median income is the point where half of the population earns more and half earns less. The median income is often used as a better indicator of the typical income level than the average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low earners.
However, the median income varies significantly across the provinces and territories, as shown in the table below.
| Province/Territory | Median after-tax income in 2020 ($) | Median monthly income in 2020 ($) |
|——————–|————————————-|———————————–|
| Canada | 68,400 | 5,700 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 62,100 | 5,175 |
| Prince Edward Island | 62,500 | 5,208 |
| Nova Scotia | 60,200 | 5,017 |
| New Brunswick | 60,000 | 5,000 |
| Quebec | 61,400 | 5,117 |
| Ontario | 73,000 | 6,083 |
| Manitoba | 64,700 | 5,392 |
| Saskatchewan | 68,200 | 5,683 |
| Alberta | 77,000 | 6,417 |
| British Columbia | 68,500 | 5,708 |
| Yukon | 73,200 | 6,100 |
| Northwest Territories | 93,500 | 7,792 |
| Nunavut | 89,300 | 7,442 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Income Survey¹
As we can see, the median monthly income in Canada ranges from $5,000 in New Brunswick to $7,792 in the Northwest Territories. The highest median income is found in the three territories, followed by Alberta and Ontario. The lowest median income is found in the Atlantic provinces, except for Prince Edward Island, which has a slightly higher income than Quebec.
## What factors affect the average monthly income in Canada by province?
There are many factors that affect the average monthly income in Canada by province, such as the size and composition of the population, the structure and performance of the economy, the availability and quality of jobs, the level and distribution of education and skills, the cost and standard of living, the tax system and the social safety net, and the impact of external shocks and events.
Some of the main factors that explain the differences in income across the provinces and territories are:
– **Population size and composition**: The provinces and territories have different population sizes and compositions, which affect their income levels and growth rates. For example, the territories have smaller and younger populations than the provinces, which means they have fewer dependents and more potential workers. The territories also have a higher proportion of Indigenous people, who tend to have lower incomes than non-Indigenous people. The provinces have more diverse and urbanized populations, which offer more opportunities and challenges for income generation and distribution.
– **Economic structure and performance**: The provinces and territories have different economic structures and performances, which affect their income levels and growth rates. For example, the territories rely heavily on the mining and public sectors, which provide high-paying jobs but are also subject to volatility and uncertainty. The provinces have more diversified and developed economies, which offer more stability and resilience but also more competition and inequality. The provinces also have different degrees of integration and exposure to the global and national markets, which affect their income opportunities and risks.
– **Job availability and quality**: The provinces and territories have different job availability and quality, which affect their income levels and growth rates. For example, the territories have higher employment rates than the provinces, but also higher unemployment and underemployment rates, which indicate a mismatch between the supply and demand of labor. The territories also have lower average wages and salaries than the provinces, but higher non-wage benefits, such as housing subsidies and northern allowances. The provinces have lower employment rates but higher average wages and salaries, but also more income inequality and poverty.
– **Education and skills level and distribution**: The provinces and territories have different education and skills levels and distributions, which affect their income levels and growth rates. For example, the territories have lower levels of educational attainment and literacy than the provinces, but also higher rates of participation and completion in post-secondary education. The territories also have lower levels of skills and competencies than the provinces, but also higher rates of skills development and upgrading. The provinces have higher levels of educational attainment and literacy, but also more gaps and disparities in access and quality of education. The provinces also have higher levels of skills and competencies, but also more skills shortages and mismatches.
– **Cost and standard of living**: The provinces and territories have different costs and standards of living, which affect their income levels and growth rates. For example, the territories have higher costs of living than the provinces, especially for food, housing, transportation, and utilities, which reduce the purchasing power and well-being of their residents. The territories also have lower standards of living than the provinces, especially for health, education, and social services, which affect the quality and quantity of life of their residents. The provinces have lower costs of living, but also more variations and fluctuations in prices and inflation. The provinces also have higher standards of living, but also more challenges and pressures in meeting the needs and expectations of their residents.
– **Tax system and social safety net**: The provinces and territories have different tax systems and social safety nets, which affect their income levels and growth rates. For example, the territories have lower tax rates and higher tax credits than the provinces, which increase the disposable income and incentives of their residents. The territories also have more generous and comprehensive social programs and transfers than the provinces, which reduce the income inequality and poverty of their residents. The provinces have higher tax rates and lower tax credits, but also more flexibility and autonomy in setting and collecting taxes. The provinces also have less generous and comprehensive social programs and transfers, but also more accountability and responsibility in delivering and managing them.
– **External shocks and events**: The provinces and territories are affected by external shocks and events, such as natural disasters, pandemics, trade wars, and environmental changes, which affect their income levels and growth rates. For example, the territories are more vulnerable and sensitive to the impacts of climate change, which threaten their natural resources, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The territories are also more dependent and responsive to the changes in the global commodity markets, which affect their export revenues and investment flows. The provinces are more resilient and adaptable to the impacts of external shocks and events, but also more exposed and susceptible to them. The provinces are also more diversified and competitive in the global economy, but also more affected and influenced by it.
## Conclusion
The average monthly income in Canada by province is a complex and dynamic indicator that reflects the economic and social conditions of each region. The income level and growth rate of each province and territory depend on a variety of factors, such as the population, the economy, the labor market, the education system, the cost of living, the tax system, the social safety net, and the external environment. The income differences and disparities across the provinces and territories have implications for the well-being, equality, and cohesion of the Canadian society. Therefore, it is important to monitor and analyze the income trends and patterns in Canada by province, and to address the income challenges and opportunities in each region.