Almost 10% of Canadians have had their living situation changed due to COVID-19
By Erika Morris
Nearly 1 in 10 Canadians—2.8 million people—have seen their living situation change due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many who haven’t yet moved are thinking of moving back in with family, according to the results of a recent Finder.com survey.
The the biggest trend is young adults moving back in with their parents, but many older adults have moved in with the kids. About 13% of those aged between 18 and 24 said they had moved back in with family, compared to 6% of those aged 25–34, 3% of those aged 35–44, 4% of those aged 45–54, and 2% of those aged 55–64.
“This trend isn’t totally surprising considering many people in [the younger] generation are likely students. Others may be seeing their careers impeded from taking off or halted altogether because of the recession. Whatever the reason, millions of young Canadians are being put in a precarious economic position and may be unable to pay rent or other bills,” the report states.
Provinces with higher costs of living such as Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia have seen the greatest “generation boomerang.” Experts attribute this to higher rents and unemployment rates, and a fear of a second wave.
In the midst of so much uncertainty, families offer a much-appreciated lifeline. The survey also showed that men are 21% more likely to make the move than women.
More than 278,000 Canadians have moved in with their children, while another 455,000 are seriously considering it. Some may have become lonely and isolated, while others moved in to help their adult children with childcare and household work.
The number of Canadians moving in with family could surge to two million in the coming months, the report says, as millions of respondents said they were still considering their options.
Photo: iStock/Halfpoint.
