Cost of living increases Canada women visible minorities

Increases in cost of living in Canada disproportionately affecting women, visible minorities

Overall, 56% of Canadians say they can’t keep up with the rising cost of living.

A study by the Angus Reid Institute has assessed Canadians’ behaviour and perceptions in relation to the increased cost of living in Canada. While Canadians across the country are affected by some of the highest levels of inflation in 30 years, the study found that the increased cost of living is having a disproportionate impact on women and visible minorities in certain areas.

Women in general were more likely than men to claim that they’ve reduced their spending in recent months in order to make up for increases in the cost of living.

“Women are more likely than men to say that their household has made budget adjustments to rein in spending. 88% of 18- to 34-year-old women have made some sort of spending cut, as have 86% of women 35 to 54 years old. Notably, young men, too, have adjusted their spending habits at a higher rate than their older peers.”

—Angus Reid Institute

The study also found that women were more likely than men to say they stress about money.

A previous study by the Angus Reid Institute earlier this year found that visible minorities were more likely to be in a precarious employment situation than Caucasians. 47% of visible minorities in Canada were concerned that they or someone in their household could lose their job because of the economy. 34% of Caucasians felt the same.

Increases in cost of living in Canada disproportionately affecting women, visible minorities

This article was originally published on March 7 and updated on Aug. 25, 2022


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