Canadians often look south of the border with a sense of relief, believing their nation offers a superior quality of life. However, a startling decline in a key global health metric suggests Canada may be following a troubling path similar to that of the United States.
A Stunning Decline in Global Standing
Recent data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveals a dramatic drop in Canada's life expectancy ranking among wealthy nations. In 1990, Canada held an impressive 5th place in the global "Life Expectancy Olympics." By 2023, that ranking had collapsed to 22nd place, representing a 17-point decrease.
This decline is even more severe than that experienced by the United States, which fell 11 points from 20th in 1990 to 31st in 2023. While Canada's absolute life expectancy has increased from 77.5 years in 1990 to 81.7 years in 2023, it has declined in absolute terms for three of the last four years and is not keeping pace with gains in other developed nations.
The Underlying Causes of the Crisis
The reasons for this alarming trend are deeply rooted in the social and economic fabric of the country. Experts point to a convergence of crises that are eroding the foundations of public health.
Life expectancy is a powerful indicator of a nation's living and working conditions, often referred to as the social determinants of health. The evidence indicates that these determinants are declining in both quality and equitable distribution across Canada.
This is not due to a lack of national wealth. Canada's economy, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has never been larger. The problem lies in how resources are distributed. The same issues that many Canadians associate with the U.S. are now prevalent at home:
- Growing income and wealth inequality
- Widespread housing and food insecurity
- A lack of stable, unionized jobs leading to work precarity
- A healthcare system in a state of crisis
A Polycrisis Converging on Canadians
The statistics paint a grim picture of the daily challenges facing a significant portion of the population. Seventeen percent of all Canadians experience food insecurity, while 14 percent live in poverty according to the common international measure.
The employment landscape is increasingly precarious, with more than 33 percent of workers in unstable job situations. A shocking figure reveals that half of all Canadians are $200 or less away from being unable to pay their bills each month.
Meanwhile, the universal, not-for-profit healthcare system that has long been a point of national pride is facing growing privatization. These interrelated problems—the income crisis, food crisis, housing crisis, employment crisis, and healthcare crisis—are converging into what experts describe as a "polycrisis."
The data suggests that without significant policy changes addressing these fundamental social and economic issues, Canada's decline in life expectancy rankings may continue, representing a serious challenge to the nation's perceived status as a leader in quality of life.
