Canadians Rate Having Close Friends and a Career They Enjoy as More Important for a Fulfilling Life Than Having Children

Toronto, ON, February 29, 2024 - As Canadian fertility rates hit lowest levels since records began, Canadians currently see having an enjoyable career and having close friends as more important to leading a fulfilling life than having children, including Canadians with kids in their household. In fact, three in ten Canadians overall (30%) rate having children as not important. Being married falls to the bottom of the list.

Among those who said they expected to have fewer than their ideal number of children in their lifetime, four in ten (38%) say their main reason for this is due to finances. Three in ten (32%) say they are too old. Just over one-quarter cite lack of affordable housing (27%) and medical reasons (27%), while 21% say they “just don’t want to.”

About the study

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll between February 16 and 20, 2024, on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed. Quotas and weighting were employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ± 3.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadians aged 18+ been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Sean Simpson
Senior Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs Canada 
+1 416 324 2002
[email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people. 

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi- specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions. 

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). 

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP

http://www.ipsos.com/