Canadian GDP, Income, and Expenditure for Third Quarter 2020

Dec 1, 2020

Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 8.9% in the third quarter, following an 11.3% drop in the second quarter and a 1.9% decline in the first. Despite strong growth in the third quarter—the steepest since quarterly data were first recorded in 1961—real GDP was down 5.3% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.

Final domestic demand rose 10.8%, after an 11.4% decline in the second quarter and a 1.6% drop in the first quarter.

The increase in GDP in the third quarter reflected reopening of the economy, with substantial upturns in housing investment, household spending on durable goods, and exports. These upturns were influenced by favourable mortgage rates, governments’ continued support to households and businesses affected by the pandemic, and growth in major trading partners’ economies in the third quarter.

Businesses drew down $33.1 billion of inventories; consequently, the economy-wide stock-to-sales ratio fell from 0.987 in the second quarter to 0.845 in the third quarter—the lowest since the fourth quarter of 2018.

Household spending rebounds

Household spending rebounded 13.0%, after a 13.6% drop in the second quarter and a 2.6% decline in the first. Nevertheless, household spending was down 5.0% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.

Outlays for durable goods rose 38.0%, the steepest on record. Increases in spending on durable goods were driven by purchases of new trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (+73.8%), used motor vehicles (+50.5%), and new passenger cars (+59.8%), reflecting pent-up demand. Spending on durable goods was up 7.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.

Outlays for non-durable goods rose 4.4%, after falling 3.9% in the second quarter. The rise in outlays for services (+9.6%) was led by food and beverage services (+52.4%), aided by the popularity of outdoor patios. Despite growth in the quarter, household spending on services was 12.4% lower, compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.

Record rise in housing investment

Housing investment rose 30.2%, after declining 15.0% in the second quarter. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2019, housing investment was up 10.3%.

The upturn was led by ownership transfer costs (+109.5%) and, to a lesser extent, renovations (+17.7%). The increase in ownership transfer costs was widespread, as home resale activities resumed across the country, with sharp increases in resale units and prices. New construction increased 9.7%, after a 7.6% decline in the second quarter. The increases coincided with low mortgage rates, improved job market conditions, and higher compensation of employees in the third quarter.

Business investment grows

Business investments in non-residential buildings, machinery and equipment and intellectual property products all rebounded, but remained below pre-pandemic levels. Investments in engineering structures (-4.8%) continued to decline.

Export and import volumes rebound

Export volumes rose 14.5%, after falling 18.9% in the second quarter; however, export volumes were down 8.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019. The rise in exports reflected higher domestic production and increased international demand as the economies of major trading partners—notably, the United States (+7.4%), the United Kingdom (+15.5%), Germany (+8.2%), Italy (+16.1%) and France (+18.2%)—grew. Exports of motor vehicles and parts rose sharply (+162.3%), reflecting a resurgence in demand.

A substantial increase in import volumes (+20.9%) was led by motor vehicles and parts (+192.1%), communication, and audio and video equipment (+58.5%), industrial machinery and equipment (+18.7%) and cleaning products, appliances, and miscellaneous goods and supplies (+33.1%). Despite these increases, import volumes were down 9.2% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.

The ratio of the price of exports to the price of imports—the terms-of-trade—rose 6.2% in the third quarter of 2020, primarily because of a 99.6% increase in prices of exported crude oil and crude bitumen.

Nominal GDP rises

The GDP implicit price index, which reflects the overall price of domestically produced goods and services, rose 2.6% in the third quarter. Consequently, growth in nominal GDP (+11.6%) was higher than that of real GDP. However, nominal GDP was down 4.6% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.

Compensation of employees increased 7.9%, after declining 8.7% in the second quarter. Government wage support programs represented 5.5% of compensation of employees in the third quarter, compared with 10.4% in the second quarter. These programs include the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Temporary Wage Subsidy; the latter ended in June 2020, but the former continues. The gross operating surplus for non-financial (+15.7%) and financial (+3.0%) corporations rose. These gains stemmed largely from reopening of businesses such as malls, restaurants, and hair salons.

Household savings rate remains elevated

Household disposable income dropped 3.1%, mainly owing to a 24.3% decline in other benefits in the third quarter. Canadians relied less on income support programs, as many resumed employment. Government transfers in the form of employment insurance benefits fell by nearly 50%, reflecting the decline in the unemployment rate over the quarter. The increase in compensation, coupled with still-elevated government transfers, helped offset a rebound in consumption as Canadians recorded another quarter of strong saving. The savings rate stood at 14.6%, down from a record 27.5% in the second quarter, but significantly higher than the fourth quarter of 2019, at 2.0%.