Financial stress is rising, but those with professional financial help feel more confident about their future
Money continues to be the leading source of stress for Canadians, surpassing concerns about health, relationships, and work, according to the 2025 Financial Stress Index by FP Canada.
The survey, conducted by Leger, shows that 42 percent of respondents identify money as their biggest stressor.
Although this is a slight decline from 44 percent in 2024, financial stress has trended upward over the past five years.
The report highlights the growing financial pressures caused by external economic forces, with grocery prices (64 percent) and inflation (54 percent) ranking as the top stressors for all age groups.
However, financial challenges vary by generation.
Canadians aged 35–54 are most affected by inflation (59 percent) and food prices (69 percent), while younger adults aged 18–34 are significantly impacted by housing costs, with 45 percent citing home prices and 43 percent pointing to rent as major concerns.
In contrast, these concerns are far lower for older Canadians aged 55 and above, at 15 percent and 18 percent, respectively.
Ravi Chhabra, a CFP professional at Cigfin Corp. in Vaughan, Ontario, stated that Canadians experience financial stress differently based on their unique circumstances.
He acknowledged that managing finances can feel overwhelming but emphasized that there are steps individuals can take to improve their financial well-being.
“The encouraging thing is, there are steps Canadians can take to feel better about their financial situation, including partnering with a professional financial planner who can help them build a personalized plan to achieve their goals,” he said.
While most Canadians recognize that taking proactive financial steps could reduce stress, barriers prevent them from acting. The survey found that 88 percent of respondents believe budgeting or saving could help ease their financial burden.
The most commonly cited steps include saving more (48 percent), paying down debt (40 percent), and building an emergency fund (37 percent).
Despite this awareness, financial constraints prevent many from making progress.
The primary obstacle cited by 68 percent of respondents is the high cost of living, followed by fear of making poor financial decisions (52 percent) and a lack of disposable income after covering essential expenses (51 percent).
Younger Canadians aged 18–34 report additional challenges related to financial literacy.
Nearly half (49 percent) say they don’t know where to access reliable financial advice, how to begin improving their finances (49 percent), or how to understand financial concepts (37 percent).
These concerns are significantly lower among those aged 35–54, at 36 percent, 41 percent, and 23 percent, respectively, indicating a greater educational gap among younger adults who seek financial guidance.
The 2025 Financial Stress Index also highlights the advantages of working with financial professionals, such as CFP and QAFP professionals.
Canadians who seek professional financial advice report lower levels of financial stress, with only 34 percent naming money as their top concern, compared to 48 percent of those who do not work with a financial planner.
Professional financial guidance also helps Canadians feel more in control of their finances.
Among those who work with a financial professional, only 27 percent believe their actions won’t significantly impact their financial situation, compared to 41 percent of those without professional guidance.
Over time, working with a financial professional has contributed to increasing optimism about financial well-being. Canadians with professional financial support show greater improvement in financial confidence, rising from 50 percent in 2023 to 60 percent in 2025.
In contrast, confidence among those without professional financial help has remained relatively stagnant, increasing only from 44 percent in 2023 to 48 percent in 2025.
Tashia Batstone, president and CEO at FP Canada, expressed optimism about the financial progress of Canadians working with professional financial planners.
She acknowledged that “even though the annual Financial Stress Index proves that money is a significant source of stress for many Canadians year after year, it also demonstrates the positive impacts that CFP professionals and QAFP professionals are having on the well-being of the Canadians who partner with them.”
The survey results underscore the importance of financial literacy and professional guidance in helping Canadians manage financial stress.
Trusted advice from a CFP or QAFP professional remains accessible to Canadians of all income levels, ages, and backgrounds as they navigate financial challenges and work toward long-term stability.
| The 2025 Financial Stress Index survey was conducted by Leger on behalf of FP Canada. It surveyed a nationally representative sample of more than 2,000 Canadians. |
