Canadians are experiencing stress to a greater extent than a year ago and noticing it among others as well.

December 12, 2023

This year has clearly proven to be a stressful one for many residents of Canada, with 40% saying that their personal level of stress is greater than it was a year ago. In addition, over half (58%) are noticing that others around them are more stressed than a year ago.

Findings show that stress levels vary across the country. Those in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces are more likely to say they are experiencing more stress now than a year ago (45% and 47% respectively), compared to only a third of those in Quebec or BC (32% and 35% respectively).

Stress also varies by age. Millennials are most likely to say they’re feeling more stress now than a year ago (52%). Comparatively, Boomers are most likely to say they don’t experience stress (12%), though this group is certainly aware of stress around them, with over half noticing increased stress among others. Interestingly, regardless of income category, roughly four in ten say they are more stressed than a year ago, and similarly, education level does not correlate with stress. That said, those who are unemployed are more likely to have increased stress now than a year ago. 

Results are from an online survey conducted in partnership between Narrative Research and the Logit Group. The survey was conducted between November 14 and 16, 2023 with 1,230 Canadians, 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s online Canadian Omnibus. Data were weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect actual population distribution, and data tables are available upon request.


The questions asked were:

Thinking of general health and wellbeing…Compared to a year ago, are you feeling…?

  • More stress
  • The same amount of stress or
  • Less stress
  • Not applicable – I am not stressed in my life!

Based on what you know or have heard from others, do you believe that other people are…

  • More stressed than last year
  • As stressed as last year
  • Less stressed than last year
  • I’m not sure.

For more information, please contact:

Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner, Narrative Research – 902-493-3834, mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca

OR

Sam Pisani, Managing Partner, Logit Group – 416.629.4116, sam.pisani@logitgroup.com

Narrative Research (www.narrativeresearch.ca), is a leading public opinion and market research company headquartered in Canada. The company is certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE). As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. 

The Logit Group (https://logitgroup.com/) is a leading North American data collection and market research execution company headquartered in Toronto, conducting large-scale projects for a variety of well-known research agencies and brands. Logit employs industry-best technologies across an array of methodologies, and is independent, experienced and quality-oriented. 

Follow us on Twitter at @EveryNarrative and @LogitGroup

Click here to read as a PDF.