Centraide’s Financial Anxiety Index

Nearly Half
of Quebecers are vulnerable
to a Financial Emergency

Recent data from a Canada-wide Omnibus survey conducted by Léger for United Way Centraide Canada on financial anxiety reveals growing concern among respondents in Quebec about the province’s economic future.

---

Financial anxiety affection a broad swath of the Quebec population

Since fall 2022, Centraide of Greater Montreal has been surveying Quebeckers to discover their financial concerns and track changes in these concerns over time. Initially done twice a year in the fall and spring, these surveys have been conducted once a year since April 2024.

Fifth survey – April 2025

Although results for the three key indicators have remained stable since the first survey in 2022, financial anxiety remains widespread: the vast majority of respondents (85%) are experiencing anxiety, with almost half (46%) experiencing it to a high degree.

Average score

_{1. Moderate, severe and extreme anxiety levels.}

The groups most likely to have higher levels of financial anxiety include

On our radar

More and more Quebeckers are worried about the economy

Over half of respondents (55%) expect Quebec’s economic situation to get worse in the next six months, compared to 41% in 2024. This 14-point jump shows a growing sense of unease, which is magnifying the population’s existing financial concerns.

Personal finances hang heavy

A growing number of people say that thinking about their personal finances makes them anxious. This was the response from one in two people (49%), for an increase of three percentage points. People with moderate anxiety levels are also experiencing greater symptoms of financial stress, such as disrupted sleep (52%), trouble concentrating (49%), and family conflict and tension at home (41%).

Financial anxiety can affect anyone

Even people with fairly solid finances are feeling anxious: 58% are afraid of running out of money in retirement, and 61% are worried about a major unexpected expense.

Vulnerable populations bear the brunt

Concerns about costs are even more apparent among people in vulnerable situations. Low-income households, single parents, newcomers, racialized people, and people living with a functional limitation have a level of financial anxiety that is higher than the average. What’s more, 22% of respondents reported experiencing food insecurity, a rate that rises to 52% among single-parent families.

Fear of eviction: Tenants on tenterhooks

Nearly one in four Quebec renters (22%) fears being evicted from their home, a concern that is even higher among newcomers (46%), people with a functional limitation (43%), and racialized people (36%).

About the Centraide Financial Anxiety Index

Given our current economic uncertainty, Centraide of Greater Montreal has partnered with Leger to create the Centraide Financial Anxiety Index. The index identifies Quebecers’ concerns about their financial situation and monitor changes in these concerns over time.

Since fall 2022, surveys have been conducted with people aged 18 and over across Quebec via the LEO platform. These surveys were carried out twice a year—in the fall and spring—until 2023, and have been conducted once a year since April 2024.

Download the latest report (April 2025)

Survey of 2,001 respondents conducted between February 20 and March 7, 2025.

(Available in French only)

In collaboration with: