Personal finance research, surveys and studies

(June 3, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• Food costs have improved but remain elevated.

• Canadians are still paying above-inflation fuel prices.

• The price of almost everything is soaring

• The only exception is energy prices, as oil and fuel prices are plummeting

(May 1, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• Delinquency rates outpace debt growth nationwide

• Google Search trends reflect Canadians' financial stress

• Regional disparities reveal financial hotspots

• Urban centres under pressure

• Generational trends show financial vulnerabilities across life stages

(March 18, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• The average Canadian FICO® score is 760. The high cost of living and its impact on affordability are a few reasons why many Canadians face challenges.

• Top 3 average credit scores in Canada were in Markham, ON (720); Vancouver, BC (705); and Burnaby BC, (700)

• In Canada, a credit score of 690 and above is generally considered good.

(February 27, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• 43.25% of respondents reported owning a BMO credit card — significantly more than the other big banks.

• The second and third most preferred choices, CIBC (32.45%) and RBC (27.95%) follow BMO, with niche cards like the CIBC Costco® Mastercard® and RBC Avion Visa Infinite helping them remain competitive despite a smaller overall market share.

• Despite being one of the largest banks in Canada, TD ranks fourth, with only 26.45% of respondents owning one of their cards.

(February 20, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• 41% of Canadians aged 30 to 44 report that financial mistakes have delayed key milestones, such as paying off debt or making major purchases.

• After making money mistakes, 42% of young Canadians turn to loved ones for financial support.

• 4 out of 10 women prioritize reducing spending, such as through spending adjustments, as a corrective action.

(February 11, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• 68% of investors aged 18–29 are willing to divest from socially irresponsible companies in favour of ethical stocks.

• Outside of performance, environmental impact (38.5%) and social equality (37.9%) are top concerns for Canadian investors.

• Nearly 6 in 10 Canadians are willing to accept lower returns for 1–2 years to support ethical practices.

• Two out of three women would “definitely” or “probably” divest from companies with poor social responsibility records.

(January 24, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• Nearly a quarter (24%) of Canadians ages 25-34 report feeling “very confident” in their ability to have enough money saved for retirement.

• Those in the 25-34 age group emerge as the most financially confident, even though those in the 55+ age group are more likely to have a larger amount saved.

• Confidence rates for average savings rebound as Canadians approach 55 years and older. Twenty-six percent reported feeling “somewhat confident” compared to just 19% of 35-44 and 45-54-year-olds.

(January 22, 2025)

Key takeaways:

• Canadians have lost $503 million to fraud as of October 2024.

• Fraud is slightly higher in census metropolitan areas (CMAs) at 17% than in other areas of Canada.

• Current financial hardships could cause more people to commit credit card fraud and theft.

(October 17, 2024)

Key takeaways:

• Cultural and behaviourial factors are biggest hurdles to financial literacy.

• Classrooms are a key to financial literacy success.

• Canadian students are gaining in financial literacy, but there’s still work to do.

• Pandemic hit Canadian confidence in finances and its effects are still being felt.

(October 7, 2024)

Key takeaways:

• Vancouver is the most profitable city in Canada for Airbnb hosts, with the potential to earn $325 per night, on average.

• Airbnb hosts in Mississauga and Toronto could earn $305 and $315, respectively, per night, on average.

• Edmonton Airbnb hosts earn the least in Canada, with average per night earnings of $118.