Family Matters: A new addition to the family? It depends!
Description: Family Matters: A new addition to the family? It depends!
In 2021, 24% of people aged 15 to 49 had changed their plans with regard to having children as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most often, they planned on having fewer children or having a child later.
Percentage of people aged 15 to 49 who, in 2022, believed that in the next three years, the following conditions related to having childrenNote 1 would be met
| Condition related to having children | Condition met in the future? | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |
| Being able to afford having a child | 44% | 37% |
| Access to suitable housing | 51% | 31% |
| A suitable spouse or partner | 58% | 21% |
| Adequate work-life balance | 47% | 27% |
| Access to satisfactory child care | 45% | 25% |
| Access to sufficient maternity, paternity or parental leave | 51% | 22% |
| The COVID-19 situation will be safe enough | 48% | 19% |
People aged 25 to 49 were systematically more optimistic about the likelihood in the next three years of various conditions related to having children being met.
In contrast, people aged 15 to 24 were more likely to believe that economic conditions (financial capacity, adequate housing) and work–life balance would not be sufficient enough to have a child.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Canadian Social Survey – Well-being and Family Relationships, 2022, Canadian Social Survey – COVID-19 and Well-being, 2021.
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