TORONTO: 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 according to a recent study.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds a plurality of Canadians believe 2024 offers plenty of positive potential.
More than two-in-five (44%) say they expect the year to offer more good than bad, outnumbering those (40%) who expect an average year. A minority of fewer than one-in-five (17%) expect the worst from the year ahead.
There is plenty of hope from Canadians that they will see improvements in their physical health (46%), overall quality of life (41%) and mental health (39%). Sources of despair seem to be finances (20% expect it to worsen) and stress (19%).
On the latter front, it’s younger Canadians who are feeling the pressure. More than one-quarter (27%) 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%) who say the same.
Money woes appear to be a factor – one-quarter (24%) of those under the age of 35 expect their personal financial situation to worsen in 2024.
Men are more pessimistic about the future year than women, but a plurality of all age groups are expecting good things from 2024.
The Angus Reid Institute’s Life Satisfaction Index measures Canadians’ satisfaction with nine elements of their life. It revealed that those who found themselves dissatisfied after 2023 are less likely to be optimistic about their future. However, many (41%) in that group expect neither good nor bad things from 2024. Meanwhile, the majority (64%) of those who are very satisfied with their life are brimming with positivity for what the next 12 months will bring.
Regionally there are larger pockets of negativity on the east coast. One-quarter in Atlantic Canada say they expect more bad than good from 2024, the most in the country. In Saskatchewan, more than half (52%) see positive things for themselves from the next year. Half (49%) in Quebec also believe 2024 will offer more sweet than sour.
In Ontario, 41% believe it will be an average year while almost an equal number believe it will be more good than bad.
