Archive · 20 Jul 2026
Muslims in Canada face wage gap and systemic bias
A study found that Muslims in Canada earn less money and have higher unemployment rates than non-Muslims.
This is not just because they are immigrants, but also because of bias against their religion.
Muslim women earn even less than other women.
The study also found that Muslim families have lower household incomes and more people living in poverty.
This shows that there are big problems in the job market that make it harder for Muslims to succeed.
The study was released around the anniversary of a terrible attack on a Muslim family, which shows that hate against Muslims is a big problem in Canada.
Muslims in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area have higher unemployment rates and lower incomes than non-Muslims.
Muslim women earn 64 cents for every dollar earned by white non-Muslim men, highlighting a significant wage gap.
The wage penalty for Muslims results in an estimated aggregate annual income loss of $1.2 billion.
Muslim households are less likely to have high incomes and more likely to live in poverty compared to non-Muslim households.
Systemic barriers and Islamophobia contribute to these disparities, which persist even when accounting for immigration status.
- Who
- Muslims in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
- What
- Face higher unemployment rates, employment segregation, and lower incomes compared to non-Muslims
- When
- Data from the 2021 census and a 2023 survey
- Where
- Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Canada
- Why
- Systemic barriers and Islamophobia impact labour market outcomes
Systemic Bias
Immigrant Effect
Wage Gap
Systemic Bias
Muslims face a wage penalty due to religious affiliation, resulting in lower incomes.
Immigrant Effect
Disparities in economic standing are due to immigrant integration challenges, not systemic bias.
- Median Employment Income (Muslims)
- $61,000
- Median Employment Income (Non-Muslims)
- $73,000
- Income Gap
- $12,000
- Muslim Women's Income
- 64 cents per dollar earned by white non-Muslim men
- Aggregate Annual Income Loss for Muslims
- $1.2 billion
- Percentage of Muslim Households with Income ≥ $110,000
- 45%
- Percentage of Non-Muslim Households with Income ≥ $110,000
- 56%
- Percentage of Visible Minority Muslims Below Low-Income Threshold
- 17%
- Percentage of Non-Visible Minority Muslims Below Low-Income Threshold
- 18%
- Percentage of Non-Visible Minority Non-Muslims Below Low-Income Threshold
- 8%
- Percentage of Visible Minority Non-Muslims Below Low-Income Threshold
- 11%