The Big Story Why aren't Canadians as happy as they used to be?
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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.
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Happiness Measurement
- The World Happiness Report ranks countries based on one question about life satisfaction (0-10 scale).
- Six other variables (GDP, health, generosity, support, freedom, corruption) explain national happiness differences.
Canada's Declining Happiness
- Canada's happiness ranking has dropped steadily since the late 2000s, long before COVID-19.
- This suggests a need for public policy focused on improving Canadians' lives in meaningful ways.
Disparities in Happiness
- Certain groups in Canada, like youths, low-income individuals, First Nations, sexual minorities, and those with poor mental health, report lower happiness.
- Focusing on youth mental health may be the most effective way to reverse the decline.