The world feels uncertain right now. Rising costs. Global instability. Pressure from every direction. If you're feeling worried about your finances, you're not alone.
Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians feel anxious about their financial future
We recently surveyed over 1,900 Canadians about how they’re feeling. In a nutshell: many people are worrying about their future. If you’re feeling anxious about money, work, and what’s going on in the world, there are steps you can take to take back some control.
Here’s what Canadians told us they’re most concerned about
61% are concerned with the rising cost of everyday expenses like groceries.
51% are concerned with oil, gas, and energy prices.
44% are concerned with having enough savings to retire.
44% are concerned with global conflicts and wars.
39% are concerned with housing affordability.
Among those surveyed,
- Women report higher anxiety than men (22% vs. 13%)
- Canadians nearing retirement are feeling the pinch more than others
The impact of economic uncertainty is real
It isn’t just affecting your wallet. It’s affecting your whole life.
On your health
- 26% report impacts to mental health and stress levels
- 19% are experiencing sleep disruption
- 22% feel their overall wellbeing has been affected
On your day-to-day finances
- 44% are spending less
- 28% are checking financial news more often
- 26% are monitoring their investment accounts more closely
On your financial outlook
- 29% are saving less
- 30% report an impact on their financial confidence
- 37% are delaying big financial decisions
Not sure what to do next? Start here
Create a budget that works for today… and tomorrow
Budgeting might not sound exciting, but it lets you keep an eye on today’s essentials while still planning for what’s ahead.
Try our budget calculator to get a clear picture of where your money is going.
Protect what you’re working so hard to build
When money is tight, it’s normal to focus on today, not ‘what ifs’. Here’s why life insurance should make the short list: it provides peace of mind if you can’t provide for your family. Term life insurance is probably cheaper than you think. Get a personalized quote, in minutes.
Prepare for the unexpected
You can’t predict financial emergencies, but you can prepare for one. An emergency fund is like a financial safety net for life’s unexpected moments. Start small if you need to; even slow and steady will get you there, eventually.
Get guidance that fits your life
A Sun Life advisor is your trusted partner to building a plan forward. Whatever you’re planning for next, whether that’s growing your family or dreaming of retirement, they can help you make it happen.
Methodology: Sun Life commissioned this survey of 1,921 Canadian adults (18+), fielded from April 1-14, 2026. Respondents were recruited from a general population panel and completed the survey online. The sample was structured using quotas and weighting to align with Canadian census data. The overall results are accurate within ±2.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Subgroup analyses have higher margins of error, ranging from ±3% to ±5% based on sample composition.