Education Isn't Enough: Bridging the Income Gap for Racialized Londoners

In a city as diverse and multicultural as London, it may come as a surprise that racialized residents continue to face significant income inequality, despite their educational achievements. While many assume that education is the great equalizer, research shows that systemic barriers still exist for visible minority communities in accessing higher-paying jobs. Racialized Londoners continue to experience economic hardship despite their academic accomplishments, and more work needs to be done to break down these barriers for a more inclusive society.

There is a significant difference in the educational attainment of racialized and non-racialized populations in Canada. Data from Statistics Canada shows that the proportion of the racialized population aged 25 to 64 with a Bachelor's degree or higher was 20% higher than that of the non-racialized population in 2021. While the racialized population has a higher level of education, their average total income in 2020 was lower than that of the predominantly White population. The racialized (or visible minority) population consists mainly of South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese individuals. 

The biggest difference in income (about $27,000) is among those with a University diploma or with a Bachelor’s or higher degree. There are a number of factors that can contribute to this income inequality, including systemic racism and discrimination in the workforce. Racialized workers are also more likely to be underemployed, meaning they are working below their skill level or in jobs that do not make use of their qualifications. While educational attainment has increased for the racialized population, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving economic equality, and further research needs to be done.

The data clearly shows that racialized populations have a higher level of education compared to their non-racialized counterparts. We need to move away from the idea that race is a determinant of intelligence or ability, and instead focus on the structural barriers that prevent racialized individuals from achieving economic success. It is only by recognizing these issues and taking steps to address them that true equality can be achieved.