Students are taking alarming cost-cutting measures to cope with the financial pressures of education, including skipping meals (40%), not purchasing textbooks (31%), struggling to pay rent (24%) and using food banks (19%).

Post-secondary students continue to be at risk for cycles of poverty. They need continued and permanent support to solve Canada's productivity challenges and better ease their transition into the Canadian workforce as the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.This year’s findings reveal critical insights into student life—from rising affordability and mental health challenges to evolving experiences with AI and work-integrated learning.

Walking The Tightrope: Students Struggle for Balance in Canada's Precarious Post-Secondary Landscape is a summary of public opinion research that, through Abacus Data, surveyed post-secondary students across Canada in 2024. The results are meant to capture a snapshot of the post-secondary student experience in Canada. Accordingly, this paper reflects how the challenges, gaps and barriers presented in 2024 have evolved as well as identifies new or persistent concerns and priorities post-secondary students face. 

Want to learn more?

Fact Sheet here.

Full Research Report here.