The disparity between Canada’s wealthiest and poorest citizens widened in the past year due to growth in financial markets, decreased interest earnings, and a softening job market, according to Statistics Canada. The income gap, which measures the variation in disposable income share between the top 40% and bottom 40% of households, reached 46.7 percentage points in 2025, compared to 46.4 points in the previous year.
The agency attributed the increased gap to slower wage growth for low-income households compared to the national average and a decline in investment income from reduced interest payments on savings. Statistics Canada also reported that the top 20% of wealth holders in Canada collectively possessed 65.7% of the country’s total net worth by the end of 2025, with an average of $3.5 million per household. Conversely, the bottom 40% of wealth holders held only three percent of Canada’s net worth, with an average of $81,650 per household.
At the close of 2025, the wealth disparity between the top 20% and bottom 40% was 62.7 percentage points, marking a 0.6-point increase from the previous year. Insolvency firm MNP Ltd. highlighted the growing wealth gap in financial surveys, noting signs of overall economic stability. The company’s debt index, based on surveys, remained consistent over the past year, indicating a cautious approach to spending among Canadians. However, financial strains were reported to be uneven, with some individuals struggling to meet financial obligations while others refrained from major financial decisions.
Grant Bazian, president of MNP Ltd., emphasized the challenges faced by many Canadians in managing financial uncertainties and planning for the future. The rising wealth disparity reflects a complex financial landscape that poses obstacles to budgeting and financial security for a significant portion of the population.