Challenges linger, but Canadians optimistic for 2024

The problems of 2023 – inflation, international conflict, global warming – may have followed Canadians into the new year, but many are still welcoming 2024 with an optimistic view, says data from non-profit Angus Reid Institute. Forty-four percent of Canadians says they expect 2024 to be more good than bad, outnumbering those (40 percent) who expect an average year. A minority of fewer than one-in-five (17 percent) expect the worst from the year ahead. 

There is plenty of hope from Canadians that they will see improvements in their physical health (46 percent), overall quality of life (41 percent), and mental health (39 percent). Sources of despair seem to be finances (20 percent expect it to worsen) and stress (19 percent). On the latter front, it’s younger Canadians who are feeling the pressure. More than one-quarter (27 percent) of those aged 18- to 34-years-old say they expect higher stress in the coming year, double the number of those older than 54 (13 percent) who say the same. Money woes appear to be a factor – one-quarter (24 percent) of those under the age of 35 expect their personal financial situation to worsen in 2024.