Singles made up one-third of low income population
There's more to being single than being alone. While unattached individuals only accounted for 11 per cent of the population in 2005, they were more likely to be poor than families or couples, according to a new study.
The Statistics Canada study, Persistence of low income among working-aged unattached individuals, found the financial hardship is also likely to persist over several years. Single people comprised nearly half (47 per cent) of the people who remained in low income for six consecutive years.
Even when all other factors — age, visible minority status, education, work status and work limitation status — were taken into account, single people were still more likely than those in "economic families" to be in low income.
The study found that single people can climb out of poverty, but were more likely to do so if they got married or lived in a common-law partnership.
Unemployment, work limitations, a lack of a high school diploma and being aged 45 to 64 also increased the likelihood someone would be in persistent low income.
The Statistics Canada study, Persistence of low income among working-aged unattached individuals, found the financial hardship is also likely to persist over several years. Single people comprised nearly half (47 per cent) of the people who remained in low income for six consecutive years.
Even when all other factors — age, visible minority status, education, work status and work limitation status — were taken into account, single people were still more likely than those in "economic families" to be in low income.
The study found that single people can climb out of poverty, but were more likely to do so if they got married or lived in a common-law partnership.
Unemployment, work limitations, a lack of a high school diploma and being aged 45 to 64 also increased the likelihood someone would be in persistent low income.
