Two in five people in Canada are struggling to put food on the table and 40% are losing sleep over how they’ll stretch their paycheque. The number of those gripped by anxiety when thinking about personal finances has surged to 60% – up five points in just six months, according to the United Way Centraide Canada UWCC Financial Anxiety Index poll conducted by Léger.
Across the country, the stress of financial anxiety is affecting people’s well-being, driven by the rising cost of everyday essentials – food, housing and energy. Single parents (58%) and newcomers (54%) are more likely to be unable to cover basic expenses without going into debt after one month if they lose their main source of income, and along with younger adults aged 18-34 face significantly higher anxiety levels. The findings point to a deepening fracture in financial stability across demographics that is now affecting people who once considered themselves financially stable, explained the report.
“The story behind the data is people having to make difficult choices, losing sleep over bills, increased family stress, struggling to focus at work, or going without food,” said Dan Clement, President & CEO of United Way Centraide Canada. “This is not a crisis on the horizon. It is happening now, in communities across the country. United Way Centraide is investing in local programs and services that meet urgent needs, build resilience, and strengthen communities for the long term.”
The human cost: food, sleep and daily life
The financial pressure is taking a measurable toll on basic well-being and daily function, said the report:
- 38% of Canadians struggle with food insecurity, and one in five report that all food in their home was eaten with no money to buy more
- 40% report difficulty sleeping due to financial stress
- 34% % are experiencing difficulty concentrating at work or school
A crisis moving fast
The data reveals not just the depth of financial stress, but also the speed at which it is intensifying, it said. Compared to polling data from late 2025:
- The number of people in Canada who report they could cover basic expenses for only one month or less before falling into debt increased by four points, increasing from 42% to 46%.
- 34% know someone close to them who has experienced poverty, up five points
- 22% of Canadians have personally experienced poverty, up from 19%
Financial stress is spreading beyond low-income households
The report said financial strain is no longer isolated to the most vulnerable. More than half (53%) of Canadians describe their financial situation as “OK” or worse, meaning that they can manage expenses but nothing more or are already struggling outright. Among those describing their situation as “OK”:
- 31% say their situation has worsened over the past six months
- 24% expect it to deteriorate further
The picture is even starker for those describing their situation as “Poor”: two-thirds (66%) say things have gotten worse, and 39 per cent expect further decline, it added.
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