Investigating the effects of the cost of living and climate change on Canadian youth

According to reports from a national survey in Canada, the younger generation of this country does not currently see a positive future for themselves due to the rising cost of living and fear of severe climate change. This survey, conducted with 1,058 millennials and 1,057 members of Generation Z, indicates that half of Canada's youth are currently under significant financial pressure, and the other half believe that the environmental situation will worsen in 2024. One out of every ten Canadian youths even states that, given the critical climate conditions in the country, they have no intention of having children.
The results of the annual survey by Leger, published last week, paint a complete picture of the challenging lives of Canada's youth. The report states, "The situation worsens every year, and Generation Z and other millennials lack confidence in the future."
A stark divide is also evident in the financial concerns of homeowners and renters. The divide is so significant that nearly three out of four renters report that their rent is the majority of their monthly expenses. Interestingly, less than half of homeowners mentioned mortgage payments in this regard.
It's worth noting that out of the 3,115 individuals surveyed, most were primarily English speakers, with 36% of them belonging to minority communities. This survey was conducted from July 25th to August 7th. However, it should be added that while the definitions of millennials and Generation Z are still debated in some cases, this survey categorizes those born between 1981 and 1996 as millennials and those born after 1997 as Generation Z.
Climate anxiety and climate change were recurring themes in this survey, with 60% of participants expressing concern about it. Interestingly, in 2022, 53% of individuals were concerned about environmental issues. It's important to note that women were more concerned about the environment than men, with 56% of women believing that the situation will worsen in the future, while only 43% of men reported the same.
Around 67% of respondents stated that the likelihood of major events such as wars, mass migration, natural disasters, etc., is higher than in the past. Only 15% disagreed with this notion, while others refrained from expressing an opinion. Furthermore, over half of Canada's youth believe that previous generations are responsible for climate change. However, Generation Z is optimistic about new crisis management tactics, with 57% stating that new technologies allow us to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Unfortunately, this survey also reflects an increasing sense of powerlessness among Canada's youth. While over half of Canadians felt powerless in addressing societal issues in 2022, this figure increased to 62% in 2023. It's worth noting that Generation Z is more prominently affected by this issue.
40% of survey participants also disagreed with the statement, "I am confident that our generation will not hesitate to address current challenges." Only 41% agreed with it. However, when asked whether they have confidence in their own generation, 44% of Generation Z youth responded positively, showing that 39% of millennials feel they have a better situation.

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