Effect of load on power factor in induction motor
This kind of question is really not very helpful to the student. The answer depends on how you define "low." If the desired power factor for the power distribution system is 0.95, anything below that could be considered to be "low." By that definition, the power factor of a squirrel cage induction motor is "low" at light and heavy loads. If you compare the power factor at rated load with the power factor at light loads, then the power factor is "low" at light loads only.

The following is a graph of power factor vs. percent of rated load for a particular 3-phase induction motor. The shape of the curve and the power factor at rated load vs. light load for this motor is generally typical.