A periodic report on poverty in Saskatchewan
New poverty line thresholds
In September, Statistics Canada revised the Official Poverty Line (OPL) for Canada, placing the threshold for a family of four in Regina at $44,833 annual income; for a person living alone it is one-half that, or $22,416. Those living in households with annual incomes below these levels are in poverty. The revised poverty thresholds are based on 2018 spending patterns and costs and differ by area of the province and household size. For a family of four the threshold is approximately seven thousand dollars greater than before the revision, with increased shelter costs accounting for the largest part of the increase.
How many persons in Saskatchewan are in poverty?
The number of persons in poverty in Saskatchewan in 2018 was 122 thousand, over 25 per cent more than the 96 thousand reported before the revision. This means that in 2018, 11.2 per cent of Saskatchewan residents had incomes below the revised OPL, instead of the 8.8 per cent reported earlier. These data do not include information for the 50 thousand plus persons living on reserves in Saskatchewan, where incomes are especially low.
References
Data come from Statistics Canada. Poverty thresholds are in Table 11-10-0066-01 at https://doi.org/10.25318/1110006601-eng and the number in poverty come from Table 11-10-0135-01 at https://doi.org/10.25318/1110013501-eng.
November 30, 2020
Downloadable PDF Sask Poverty Dashboard – 1