The Big Story
Why aren't Canadians as happy as they used to be?
Mar 30, 2025
Felix Cheung, a Canada Research Chair in Population and Wellbeing and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, delves into Canada's alarming drop in happiness rankings. He discusses how factors like social connections and mental health significantly impact Canadians' well-being. Cheung highlights the disparities among demographics, especially the mental health challenges faced by youth. He also examines the variations in happiness across provinces, and advocates for fostering kindness and strong communal ties to cultivate joy and improve rankings.
18:40
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Quick takeaways
- Canada's happiness ranking has declined significantly due to factors like economic strength, social support, and mental health issues.
- Strengthening social connections and community ties is essential for reversing the decline in happiness, particularly among Canadian youth.
Deep dives
Declining Happiness Rankings
Canada has shown a steady decline in happiness rankings, dropping to 18th place in the World Happiness Report, down from 5th in 2015. This decline raises concerns especially since it has been observed even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report attributes happiness to six key variables, including economic strength measured by GDP per capita and social support. Addressing these issues is critical as they suggest a need for public policies that genuinely improve the quality of life for Canadians.
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