Economic Outlook in Canada and the U.S.: Recession and Job Insecurity Top Concerns in December 2024

December 9, 2024

Every month, we conduct a survey of Canadian and Americans to explore their views on the economy and their finances. This month, our survey was conducted between November 29 and December 1st, 2024.

Some of the key highlights of our survey about the economy include…

  • The survey reveals that 61% of Canadians consider their household finances to be in good shape, with 10% rating them as very good and 51% as good. Once again, Quebecers (71%) and Canadians aged 55 and older (70%) are more likely to consider their finances to be in good shape. A slightly higher proportion of Canadians consider their household finances to be in poor shape since the last measure, rising from 34% in November to 37% in December.
  • Four in ten Canadians (43%) who are currently employed fear losing their job within the next 12 months. This represents a 3-point increase since last month.
  • Moreover, 44% of Canadians report living paycheck to paycheck. The proportion of Americans saying they are living paycheque to paycheque is much higher, with 58% of respondents saying they do.
  • Almost six out of ten Canadians (57%) believe the country is in an economic recession, an evolution of 3-points since November. This proportion rises to 66% among Canadians aged 18 to 34 and Albertans.

Methodology

This web survey on the economy was conducted from November 29 to December 1, 2024, with 1,532 Canadians and 1,000 U.S. residents, 18 years of age or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel.

A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size yields a margin of error no greater than ±2.50%, (19 times out of 20) for the Canadian sample and ±3.10%, (19 times out of 20) for the American sample.

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