TORONTO – Ontarians are basically content with their lives right now, but harbour fears about their future and financial security, a new survey shows.
The survey from the Angus Reid Institute polled over 1,500 Canadians about their overall life satisfaction, and the result is bluntly stated right in the title: “Most Canadians are pretty happy with their lives, but the ones who aren’t, are downright miserable.”
The survey asked a variety of questions about satisfaction with their general quality of life, health, happiness, family relationships and more.
READ MORE: Most Canadians happy with life, but the ones who aren’t are downright miserable: poll
Among the findings:
We’re actually pretty happy
Just 14 per cent of Ontarians reported being “very happy,” but that’s about the norm when you look at the other surveyed regions as well.
Another 63 per cent said they’re “pretty happy,” putting Ontario right around the middle of the pack in terms of overall happiness (Manitobans are on top with a collective 82 per cent “happy” or “very happy,” while Quebec comes last with 77 per cent).
We’re fretting about our finances
The survey asked Canadians about their satisfaction with their stress levels, love life, number of friends and several other categories.
The bulk of Ontarians were at least satisfied in these areas, but the lowest levels of satisfaction came in “your personal financial situation.” Barely half of Ontarians – 53 per cent – are content with their finances.
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We’re worried about our old-age security
While Ontarians are basically happy with their lives right now, the survey found most are nervous about what awaits them in old age.
Fully 62 per cent of Ontarians said they agree that “old age is scary,” the highest percentage of any region. British Columbia was a close second with 60 per cent.
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Part of that fear may come from how many Ontarians are worried about their nest egg; 60 per cent agreed said they’re worried they don’t have enough money to support themselves in their old age.
One particularly blunt question on the survey provoked a telling response: asked whether “my best days are behind me,” 59 per cent of Ontarians said yes.
The online poll was conducted between December 10 – 14, 2015, with a representative randomized sample of 1,530 Canadians from Angus Reid’s online panel and is accurate to within 2.5 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
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