One in five Canadians over 50 facing material deprivation, survey finds

Dr. Samir Sinha discusses a new study which found 20 per cent of Canadians 50 years or older are living equivalent to the poverty line.

A new survey suggests a significant share of older Canadians are struggling to meet basic needs, with one in five people aged 50 and older experiencing a standard of living comparable to the poverty line.

The findings are from the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) and its 2025 Ageing in Canada survey, which examines the financial and social wellbeing of more than 6,000 Canadians aged 50 and older.

The report found 20 per cent of respondents were experiencing “material deprivation,” meaning they struggle to afford essential goods and services.

Unlike traditional poverty measures that focus strictly on income, the NIA’s material deprivation index looks at everyday financial realities - whether someone can afford dental care, heat their home, buy groceries or handle a small emergency expense.

“When you look at some of the official measures of poverty in Canada, we tend to talk about Canadians who are living with an income between $20,000 to $25,000 a year as being people close to the poverty line,” Dr. Samir Sinha of Sinai Health System told CTV Your Morning Tuesday.

“We look at real, practical measures. When we find that people are struggling with two or more of those things, we know that this is a much more accurate measure,” Sinha added.

The survey found 18 per cent of older Canadians could not afford a $500 expense, while 11 per cent said they could not afford dental care, highlighting the financial pressures many face in later life.

Researchers say these struggles have consequences beyond finances, affecting health, independence and quality of life.

“If you can’t even afford some of the basic necessities of life ... how are you going to be able to stay social and engaged, if you can’t afford transportation to get around your communities?” Sinha asked.

“All these things can affect not only your ability to stay socially engaged in your community, but also your health and wellness.”

The survey also points to broader social challenges. Forty-three per cent of Canadians aged 50 and older are at risk of social isolation, while 57 per cent report experiencing loneliness, levels that have remained largely unchanged since 2022.

Sinha, who was consulted for the survey, said the combination of financial strain and social isolation can have serious health consequences.

Sinha pointed out that two years ago in the U.S., the surgeon general declared loneliness a major epidemic, while countries like the U.K. have appointed a minister responsible for loneliness. Other countries, such as Japan, Denmark and Germany have also created national strategies to battle this issue because of a large volume of society experiencing these issues.

The findings come as Canada approaches a major demographic shift, with the country expected to become a “super-aged” nation, meaning more than one in five Canadians will soon be over the age of 65, Sinha said.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of person aged 65 or older in Canada is more than 8.1 million, as of July 2025. If the trend continues to increase, Sinha said it will reshape health care, housing and social services across the country.

While an aging population presents challenges, Sinha said it also creates opportunities, particularly in what economists call the “silver economy,” where products and services are designed to meet the needs of older adults.

Sinha said many older adults want to remain in their homes as they age, but doing so requires access to the right supports and services. Without those options, it not only affects quality of life for seniors, but also limits opportunities to develop services tailored to an aging population.