Over 80% of young Canadians feel anxious about their future amid rising costs and limited support
The next generation of Canadian workers is entering adulthood under intense pressure, with rising costs and economic uncertainty fueling widespread anxiety.
According to research from GreenShield and Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC), more than 80% of young people feel stressed or uneasy about what lies ahead, with the level of worry even more pronounced among racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ youth.
The data points to a worrying collision between financial instability and mental health challenges with seven in ten young respondents saying that today’s cost of living is obstructing their long-term goals, while three quarters believe structural economic forces will outweigh their own efforts when it comes to building stability.
Those same pressures are showing up in the mental health system with young people saying they need support but facing significant hurdles in accessing it. More than half say cost is the single biggest barrier, followed by long wait times and difficulties finding appropriate care.
“Canada’s youth are navigating a perfect storm of economic instability and emotional strain,” says Zahid Salman, president and CEO of GreenShield, adding that the organization is working to lower financial, cultural, and systemic barriers to care. “Supporting youth mental health is not just about promoting well-being, it’s about investing in Canada’s future and ensuring every young person can thrive.”
The survey, conducted in mid-September 2025 and based on responses from more than 2,700 Canadians, reinforces what many employers, advisers, and policymakers have suspected: the country’s emerging workforce is carrying heavy financial burdens and struggling to find timely support.
For professionals watching long-term productivity and wellbeing trends, the data adds weight to calls for more accessible, affordable mental-health solutions and, increasingly, for economic interventions that give young Canadians a fighting chance at stability.
