The National Institute on Ageing Releases 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey Results: Social, Financial and Physical well-being
On January 28, 2025, the National Institute on Ageing (“NIA”) published the findings of its 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey, the country’s largest ongoing research initiative focused on the perspectives and experiences of Canadians aged 50 and older. This is the third year the NIA has released such a report and completed the survey. The survey sheds light on the realities of ageing in Canada, offering critical insights into 3 key dimensions: the social well-being, financial security, and health of older adults. Within this article, we will outline the key findings, as communicated and shown within the NIA News Release, and we have also linked the full report for your in-depth read. We hope you find this helpful and informative.
Survey Background:
The 2024 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey was conducted online from June 5 to July 12, 2024, with a representative sample of 5,875 Canadians aged 50 and older across all 10 provinces. The survey included 89 questions and was developed in collaboration with the Environics Institute for Survey Research. It followed standard industry protocols for recruitment and confidentiality, and respondents could complete it in either English or French, ensuring accessibility for both of Canada’s official language groups.
Call to action - tell us your thoughts about the findings of this survey by emailing us at hello@carebee.ca. We want to hear if the survey is indicative of your experience and how we can collectively, as a society, battle some of the findings to ensure a better, healthier, more financially stable future for older adults in Canada. The Carebee Senior Services Database is also here for you and offers a listing of social and other services that are note-worthy on your ageing journey in Canada. To view the Senior Services Database - also known as the ‘Rolodex’, register for a Free Membership at www.carebee.ca. Once registered, you will have Free and unlimited access to the Rolodex Listing of Senior Services under the Main Portal Page. You can email us anytime with your questions or comments and for help with navigating the Carebee Portal.
Thank you for reading.
Bzzz,
Team Carebee
Source: January 28, 2025 Press Release from the NIA - Key 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey Results Findings:
1. Social Well-Being
One in three (32%) Canadians aged 50 and older report strong social networks, while 36% experience weak networks, particularly among those in poor health or facing financial struggles.
Four in ten (39%) of Canadians aged 50 and older engage in social and recreational activities at least weekly and another 20% do so monthly, but one in four (23%) rarely or never do so. Those who participate less often than desired are most likely to cite financial barriers.
Few (9%) Canadians aged 50 and older say they have experienced age discrimination in the past year, but 68% report having day-to-day experiences of ageism, such as hearing jokes about old age, a clear indication of pervasive societal attitudes and behaviours that diminish the value of older people.
2. Financial Security
Only one in three working Canadians aged 50 and older believe they will be able to afford to retire when they want to. One in four working Canadians aged 50 and older have saved $5,000 or less for retirement.
A new national indicator called the Material Deprivation Index (MDI) reveals that one in five (22%) Canadians aged 50 and older experience a poverty-level standard of living. For those aged 65 and older, the figure is 14%, more than double the current official measure for Canada.
Most Canadians aged 50 and older report stable or improving financial well-being, with more able to save in 2024 than in 2023. However, 23% say their income is insufficient for their current or long-term needs, with challenges most common among those aged 50-64, without workplace pensions, and who report poor or fair health.
3. Health and Independence
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Canadians aged 50 and older who needed health care services could access them all or most of the time in 2024—a rate unchanged since 2022.
Only 48% of Canadians aged 50 and older requiring home care received the services they needed most of the time in 2024, underscoring significant barriers in community-based care.
Most (80%) Canadians aged 50 and older say they want to remain in their own home for as long as they can, with very few (3%) expressing a preference to eventually move into a long-term care home.
