Canadian provinces lag far behind U.S. states on living standards, Fraser Institute report finds
Seven Canadian provinces now rank among the 10 lowest on a measure comparing GDP per person, employment income, and productivity — up from six in 1999.
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Canadian provinces are falling further behind U.S. states on a range of economic measures, according to a Fraser Institute report released October 8, 2026.
The think tank compared Canadian provinces and U.S. states on GDP per person, employment income, private-sector jobs, and productivity using the latest available data from 2024. In 1999, six Canadian provinces ranked among the 10 lowest on these measures. By 2024, that number had grown to seven.
Alberta, Canada's strongest performer, has still seen a steep decline. The province fell from 7th place in 1999 to 25th in 2024 — the only Canadian province in the top half of the ranking. Alberta's GDP per person stands at $74,907, compared to New York's $134,470.
Ontario ranked 51st overall, with a GDP per person of $60,131. Quebec placed 55th, British Columbia 49th, and Newfoundland and Labrador 52nd. New Brunswick, at the bottom, posted a GDP per person of $46,467.
The disparities are most stark on employment income. Median employment income in every U.S. state now exceeds that of every Canadian province. All 10 Canadian provinces rank in the bottom 10 on this measure. Alberta is the only place in either country where median employment income actually declined over the period studied.
On productivity, all but five U.S. states have seen stronger growth than every Canadian province. Prince Edward Island is the only location in both countries where productivity declined by 2024.
What policy changes do Fraser Institute researchers recommend to close the gap?
Have provincial governments responded to these findings, and what do they say about the causes?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
How many Canadian provinces ranked among the 10 lowest on economic measures in 2024?
Seven Canadian provinces ranked among the 10 lowest on a Fraser Institute comparison of GDP per person, employment income, and productivity in 2024, up from six in 1999.
Where did Alberta rank on the living standards comparison in 1999 versus 2024?
Alberta fell from 7th place in 1999 to 25th in 2024, making it the only Canadian province in the top half of the ranking.
What is Alberta's GDP per person compared to New York's?
Alberta's GDP per person stands at $74,907, compared to New York's $134,470.
How do Canadian provinces compare to U.S. states on employment income?
Median employment income in every U.S. state now exceeds that of every Canadian province, with all 10 Canadian provinces ranking in the bottom 10 on this measure.
