Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
View the most recent version.Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
Earnings and Incomes of Canadians Over the Past Quarter Century, 2006 Census: Incomes of families
Earnings growth, shifting benefits for single mothers
Growth in earnings has outpaced increases in total income for single mothers, so employment is representing a growing share of their income. In fact, in 2005, earnings accounted for 69.2% of their income, a record high, up from 67.8% in 2000.
Despite this growth in earnings, some government transfer payments to lone-parent mothers also increased. Between 2000 and 2005, average child benefits increased by almost $500. As a result, single mothers were receiving twice as much from child benefits in 2005 ($2,954) as they were from the family allowances and child tax credits in 1980 ($1,447).
The trends for single fathers were similar, but reflected weaker growth in employment. As such, the proportion of their income from employment inched down from 79.0% in 2000 to 78.9% in 2005. This was still well below the high of 83.7% registered in 1980.
