Distress in Nunavut as Child Poverty Soars to Record Highs

Nunavut, Canada – The Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association has released its 2024 Report Card on Child Poverty in Nunavut, presenting alarming new statistics that highlight the growing crisis faced by children and families across the territory. As of 2022, Nunavut’s child poverty rate reached an unprecedented 41.8%—more than double the national average of 18.1%—leaving nearly half of the territory’s youngest population vulnerable to the harms of poverty.

The report underscores a troubling trend, with the child poverty rate for those under six years old rising to a devastating 50%. “Nunavut is experiencing a significant crisis,” said a representative from Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association. “This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about real families and communities struggling to provide the basic necessities for their children.”

Statistics reveal not only the high prevalence of poverty but also the increasing severity, with the poverty gap—showing how far families are from reaching the poverty line—widening in recent years. In 2022, lone-parent families with one child in Nunavut required more than twice their income to escape poverty.

The report also examines challenges in accessing crucial government support. While federal transfers have proven effective in reducing poverty, access remains difficult for many families in Nunavut due to infrastructure barriers, language challenges, and lack of digital access. These obstacles highlight the urgent need for Indigenous-led solutions and targeted interventions in Nunavut.

Link to The 2024 Report Card on Child Poverty in Nunavut here.

Community and Government Response Needed

In light of these findings, the Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women’s Association is calling on both federal and territorial governments to prioritize policies addressing child poverty in Inuit communities and to support enhanced, Inuit-led data collection and intervention programs. Key recommendations include the expansion of government assistance programs, improvements to education and community-based resources, and targeted support for Inuit hunting and food-sharing initiatives to alleviate food insecurity.

“Nunavut’s families deserve the means to thrive,” said the representative. “Immediate action is essential to address the systemic and structural challenges contributing to child poverty in our communities.”

Link to Press release here.

NT5