Social Poverty

Social poverty exists where people are isolated and lack the formal and informal supports necessary for resilience. When people are isolated or disconnected from community, they have fewer personal supports available to provide material, emotional or caregiving support particularly in times of stress or crisis. The lack of social connection can be an important risk factor for material poverty. Those experiencing material poverty are also at risk of increased isolation due to the financial and other barriers to social participation, along with the stigma associated with poverty. Other dimensions of social poverty include the marginalization and exclusion of people from community life due to overt and systemic discrimination.

A Few Facts

  • Over 1 in 4 Canadians (26%) do not always or often have someone they can depend on when needed. Meanwhile, 1 in 3 Canadians (34%) report having a weak sense of belonging to their community.

  • Less than half (43.9%) of Canadians reported that they feel they can trust others in 2024.

  • In 2021, two-thirds of Canadians living alone were either in or at risk of poverty, double the rate of 14.5% among those living in families.

  • In 2024, almost 1 in 3 (30.9%) of Canadians aged 15 and over reported that they have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment in Canada.

  • Among recent immigrants, over 1 in 5 (21.5%) were either in or at risk of poverty in 2021, compared to 12.7% of non-immigrants.

  • Among racialized (visible minority) persons, almost 1 in 5 (19.7%) were either in or at risk of poverty in 2o21, compared to 12.6% of non-racialized persons.

Our Work

The Canadian Poverty works to address the social dimensions of poverty through a range of research initiatives.