Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: The 2024 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey

First launched in 2022, the NIA Ageing in Canada Survey is a decade-long annual research program designed to capture Canadians’ experiences, perspectives and expectations on ageing. As the largest ongoing, public-oriented annual survey of this nature in Canada, the NIA’s survey makes several important contributions:

• Generates timely and reliable data directly from older Canadians;
• Tracks changing perspectives and experiences on key ageing-related issues over the years;
• Provides key indicators to assess how well Canada supports its ageing population and measures progress or setbacks over time;
• Highlights the critical role of social well-being, financial security, and health and independence, particularly for vulnerable groups within the ageing population;
• Identifies how ageing is experienced across key segments of the older population; and,
• Offers empirical insights to guide policy development.

The 2024 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey marks the third annual review of Canadians’ perspectives on growing old in Canada. The study focuses on three key dimensions of ageing well: social well-being, financial security, and health and independence, with each dimension incorporating measurable indicators. With Canada’s ageing population, this survey continues to be a vital tool for understanding the evolving needs of older adults and informing policies and practices that support their well-being.

Building on the benchmarks set in 2022 and 2023, the 2024 findings help to deepen our understanding of how Canadians aged 50 and older are doing and tracks how the NIA’s three dimensions have evolved over time. While many Canadians aged 50 and older report positive outcomes, the 2024 study also highlights ongoing disparities in experiences, particularly in relation to age, health and financial well-being. These findings point to areas where additional support is needed to enhance the lives of older adults across Canada, with policy implications outlined throughout the report.