FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2026
New report shows Yukon may look “better on average,” but rural communities face far higher poverty — and key data gaps leave many people invisible.
Whitehorse, Yukon — The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (YAPC) released the Yukon Poverty Report Card 2025 today, a territorial companion to the Campaign 2000 national child and family poverty report card released last week. The Yukon report highlights that while the territory’s overall poverty rate appears slightly lower than the Canadian average, the Yukon’s numbers require careful interpretation — and a closer look reveals significant inequities across communities and gaps in what we can measure.
“On paper, the Yukon can look like it’s doing relatively well,” said Keitha Clark, YAPC Project Coordinator “But the reality is more uneven — especially outside Whitehorse — and the data is often delayed or doesn’t show the full picture of who is being left behind."
What We Do Know About Poverty in the Yukon
Statistics Canada reported that approximately 3,415 Yukoners were living in poverty in 2023, representing a 9.9% poverty rate based on the Northern Market Basket Measure (MBM-N) — slightly below the national rate of 10.2%.
The report notes that Yukon’s overall rate is influenced by factors such as relatively strong labour force participation and higher median incomes compared to many regions. However, it emphasizes that territorial averages can mask significant differences within the Yukon.
Community-level data show that every Yukon community had a higher poverty rate than Whitehorse. In some places, poverty rates were more than double Whitehorse’s — a clear sign that rural and remote communities face distinct affordability pressures.
Higher costs of goods, lower average incomes, and fewer employment opportunities contribute to these disparities, while many government transfers do not adjust for regional cost differences.
The report also finds that young adults aged 18–24 experience the highest poverty rate by age category in the Yukon, with 14.0% living in poverty in 2021 — significantly higher than the overall territorial rate.
By comparison:
Report Author Kendall Hammond notes that young adults often receive fewer income supports than families with children or seniors while also earning lower incomes early in their careers.
Poverty Over Time
The report also highlights clear changes in poverty levels over time:Between 2018 and 2021, poverty declined by roughly 900 people, even as the Yukon’s population grew. Most notably, poverty fell during the early phase of COVID-19 following temporary federal income supports such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and enhancements to existing benefits.
“When governments act quickly and put income supports in place, poverty can drop,” said report author Kendall Hammond. “The pandemic showed that poverty is responsive to policy — and that decisions about income, housing, and affordability have real, measurable impacts on people’s lives.”
Poverty rose sharply again in 2022, increasing to 12.9%, after pandemic supports ended and inflation drove up food, housing, and transportation costs faster than incomes.
Major data gaps leave many Yukoners statistically hidden
A central theme of the report is highlighting not only what we know, but also what we don’t know- often because the data is delayed or isn’t available at the territorial level.
Community and demographic poverty data are only available every five years through the Census (most recently for 2021, released in late 2023).
Statistics Canada does not consistently publish Yukon poverty rates disaggregated by immigration or newcomer status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or disability status — despite national evidence showing these groups face higher poverty risk and the fact that there are more than 5,300 immigrants in the Yukon and more than 10,000 people living with a disability
“Statistics help us understand trends, but they don’t tell the whole story, says YAPC Executive Director Kristina Craig. Behind every number is a person — someone trying to afford groceries, pay rent or build a future for their family. This report is about making sure those experiences are seen, understood, and reflected in the data and decisions we make.”
Yukon Poverty Report Card 2025
Supporting National Action on Poverty
YAPC also expressed support for the recommendations outlined in the national Campaign 2000 report. Actions such as strengthening Canada’s poverty reduction plan with clear targets and dedicated funding as well as boosting the Canada Child Benefit through an End Poverty Supplement are important tools to help address the elimination of poverty.
Campaign 2000- Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada (2025)
Media Contacts
Kendall Hammond |Co-Author, Yukon Poverty Report Card 2025
Keitha Clark | Project Coordinator, Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition
About the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition
The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition works to facilitate the elimination of poverty in the Yukon through awareness, education, advocacy, action, and community building. The Coalition works on issues involving food, shelter, income, and access to services with over 600 community members.
About Campaign 2000
Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada public education movement to build Canadian awareness and support for the 1989 all-party House of Commons resolution to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition is a partner in Campaign 2000 and produced this poverty report card for the Yukon.