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Record Income Inequality: Top 20% Earns 49x Bottom

9/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A Statistics Canada report indicates record-high income inequality, with a 49 percentage point gap between the top and bottom income quintiles in Q1 2025.
The bottom 20% experienced a decline in average disposable income to $6,373, while the top 20% rose to $52,282, largely due to investment income.
The top 20% holds 64.7% of total net worth, averaging $3.3 million per household, while the bottom 20% has a negative net worth.
Homelessness and reliance on food banks have increased, with over two million workers seeking assistance monthly, reflecting a growing social crisis.

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Story summary

A Statistics Canada report indicates record-high income inequality, with a 49 percentage point gap between the top and bottom income quintiles in Q1 2025.
The bottom 20% experienced a decline in average disposable income to $6,373, while the top 20% rose to $52,282, largely due to investment income.
The top 20% holds 64.7% of total net worth, averaging $3.3 million per household, while the bottom 20% has a negative net worth.
Homelessness and reliance on food banks have increased, with over two million workers seeking assistance monthly, reflecting a growing social crisis.