Canadian families are spending more money on taxes than on food, clothing and shelter combined, a new Fraser Institute report says.

Nearly half of the average family's income (42.7%) went toward federal, provincial and municipal taxes in 2012, the conservative think-tank says.

The average family earned $74,113 and paid $31,615 in taxes, including income, sales and property taxes; employment insurance and Canada Pension Plan contributions; and what the institute calls "hidden" taxes like import duties and gas taxes.

The tax bill has ballooned 1,787% since 1961, the report says.

Meanwhile, basic necessities took up 36.9% of the family budget.

That's the reverse of the situation in 1961, when food, clothing and shelter accounted for 56.5% of the budget and taxes took up 33.5%.

The outlook is even worse when government budget deficits are factored in, the report says, because today's taxes aren't covering current levels of government spending.

"Deficits must one day be paid for by working Canadians unless governments take serious steps to reduce spending," the report says.