Key Takeaways
- The happiness levels of young Canadians have been declining significantly, with those under 30 being the unhappiest age group in the country, according to the World Happiness Report.
- The decline in happiness among young Canadians is attributed to various factors, including unaffordable housing, struggles to save for the future, online gloom, and a growing youth mental health crisis.
- Young Canadians are reconfiguring their expectations of what it means to be an adult, with many delaying or redefining traditional life milestones such as marriage, having children, and buying a home.
- The decline in happiness among young Canadians is not unique to Canada, with many countries experiencing similar trends, but Canada’s decline is exceptional.
- Researchers suggest that the decline in happiness among young Canadians may be due to a combination of factors, including social and economic conditions, the impact of social media, and changing expectations and values.
Introduction to the Decline in Happiness
The World Happiness Report has found that young Canadians are experiencing a significant decline in happiness, with those under 30 being the unhappiest age group in the country. This trend is not unique to Canada, but the decline in happiness among young Canadians is exceptional, with only four countries experiencing a worse decline. Researchers attribute this decline to various factors, including unaffordable housing, struggles to save for the future, online gloom, and a growing youth mental health crisis. Bhavik Sharma, a 27-year-old living in Kitchener, Ontario, is an example of this trend. He had imagined that by the time he was 25, he would be starting a family, earning a six-figure salary, and living comfortably. However, he is now back living with his parents, driven out of Toronto by high rent and other costs.
The Changing Expectations of Adulthood
Young Canadians are reconfiguring their expectations of what it means to be an adult. The traditional milestones of adulthood, such as marriage, having children, and buying a home, are being delayed or redefined. Fitness instructor Taylor Arnt, 27, is processing the idea that she might never get married or have children, as she grapples with day-to-day challenges. Ontario graduate Thivian Varnacumaaran, 25, applied for over 400 jobs before finding work and considers living with his parents a privilege. Communications CEO Kathryn LeBlanc, 31, spoke of the demands of the 24-hour news cycle. Many young Canadians are finding ways to be happy in the moment, even if their lives haven’t yet turned out the way they pictured. Bhavik Sharma, for example, finds joy in his family, friends, vacations, and balancing work expectations.
The Demise of the U-Shaped Trajectory
Before 2014, well-being in Canada could be broadly described as a U-shaped trajectory, with satisfaction high among youth, declining to a low point in mid-life, and then rising again as people got older. However, this trajectory is no longer applicable, with the happiness of young Canadians dropping significantly. John Helliwell, an emeritus professor of economics at the University of British Columbia, attributes this decline to social and economic conditions, including the challenges of getting a job and the high cost of housing. The Bank of Canada’s housing affordability index hit its worst level in 41 years in 2023, and while it has eased, it remains at levels akin to the early 1990s. This has made it difficult for young Canadians to save for a down payment on a home, with the average age of first-time homebuyers increasing significantly.
Shifting Life Benchmarks
Other life benchmarks have been shifting, too. The average age of marriage has steadily increased, from 25 in 1968 to 35 in 2019. The average age of first-time mothers has risen from 22 to 29, while the average age of all mothers has risen to nearly 32 in 2024. Violet Rode, an 18-year-old theatre student, said that many people don’t prioritize love and kids as much as they used to, and that the high cost of living is a significant factor in this shift. Thivian Varnacumaaran, now working as an electrical designer, longs for his own family and children one day, but for now, he’s focused on saving and living with his parents. Taylor Arnt said that many young people can’t have the same timeline as older generations, whether with marriage, children, or financial goals, due to the challenges of meeting day-to-day basic needs.
Adapting to a New Way of Life
Following the release of the 2024 World Happiness Report, Canadian researchers looked closely at the numbers and confirmed the findings. However, they noted that the size of the happiness decline among young Canadians could depend on how they were questioned. Anthony McCanny, lead author of the Canadian Happiness Report, said that the global study asked people to compare their current life to the best possible life they could be living. When Statistics Canada asked Canadian youth how satisfied they were currently, the decline in happiness was significantly less dramatic. McCanny said that it’s possible that the age group is "just in flux" and adapting to a new way of life. The social and online environment occupied by today’s young people may be one of those new worlds, with social media having a significant impact on mental health.
The Impact of Social Media
The social and online environment occupied by today’s young people may be one of those new worlds, with social media having a significant impact on mental health. Violet Rode said that her generation struggles with their attention span, and that social media hampers mental health. Kathryn LeBlanc said that her generation is expected to be more plugged in than those before, with the 24/7 news cycle and algorithms pulling them back in. John Helliwell noted that data is being collected on social media use and the impact on happiness, and that the decline in happiness among Canadian youth has been smaller in Quebec, where social media use is less prevalent. He remains optimistic, suggesting that happiness researchers have found that reality is often better than people think, and that small actions can have a significant impact on happiness.
Finding Happiness in the Moment
Despite the challenges, many young Canadians are finding ways to be happy in the moment. Nicholas Schorn, a 32-year-old writer, said that life is "decently happy" for him, despite the turmoil of the world. He finds comfort in community spaces like a local coffee shop, as well as "soul-nourishing" volunteer work. Bhavik Sharma finds joy in his family, friends, vacations, and balancing work expectations. Taylor Arnt said that many young people are finding ways to be happy, even if their lives haven’t yet turned out the way they pictured. John Helliwell suggested that happiness can be improved by stepping out of oneself and getting out of one’s gloom, and doing small things to improve the world around them. By focusing on the present moment and finding joy in everyday activities, young Canadians can improve their happiness and well-being.
