Canadians over 65 more worried about climate change than youth, StatCan says

Statistics Canada data reveals a surprising trend: older Canadians, particularly those over 65, express greater concern about climate change than younger generations. The 2025 Canadian Social Survey, which included climate change questions for the first time, found that 59 percent of individuals aged 65 and older were "very" or "extremely" concerned about the issue. This contrasts with 51 percent of those aged 15 to 24 years.

The survey also highlighted gender and education as factors influencing concern. Women (59 percent) were more likely than men (48 percent) to report worry about climate change. Similarly, university graduates (60 percent) showed higher concern levels than individuals without a high school diploma (46 percent). These findings challenge the common narrative that youth are the primary demographic driving climate change anxiety.

This heightened concern among older Canadians appears to translate into action. The survey indicates that those worried about climate change are more inclined to adopt environmentally friendly practices. Specifically, 65 percent reported reducing food waste, and 57 percent are cutting back on energy consumption. The data emerges as 2025 was confirmed as one of the hottest years on record, with human-made climate change making Canadian heat waves significantly more likely.