Canada is experiencing a decline in various social indicators, alongside its economic challenges. Recent reports highlight that the country has the slowest per capita GDP growth among large OECD nations and continues to struggle with the highest housing costs globally. Once ranked among the top five wealthiest countries in the 1980s, Canada now falls behind 14 nations in terms of wealth.

The decline is not limited to economic metrics. Canada recently lost its status with the Pan American Health Organization as a country where measles transmission had been eradicated. This setback affected the entire Americas, which previously relied on Canada’s status to maintain a “no measles” zone. Historically, such downgrades were often attributed to countries like Venezuela or Brazil.

Life expectancy in Canada is also trending downward. According to the latest Statistics Canada update, the life expectancy at birth is now 81.3 years, a decline from a peak of 82.3 years in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic is largely blamed for this drop, which has been compounded by high overdose deaths. In 2024, Canada recorded 7,146 opioid overdose deaths, a significant increase from 3,742 in 2019. Additionally, Canada has become a leader in doctor-assisted suicide, with one in 20 deaths attributed to euthanasia.

International rankings that once showcased Canada’s strengths are also slipping. The Quality of Life Index has seen Canada drop from 18th place in 2020 to 27th in 2024, trailing countries like Estonia and Croatia. The World Happiness Report has similarly seen Canada fall from sixth to 18th place. Furthermore, the Corruption Perceptions Index has seen Canada drop from 11th in 2020 to 15th in 2024.

Child mortality rates, a critical indicator of societal health, have plateaued. Canada’s infant mortality rate stands at over four deaths per 1,000 births, placing it alongside countries like Cuba and Serbia, rather than its European peers. After years of improvement, the rate has increased slightly to 4.6 in 2023, marking a concerning trend.

Homicide rates have also risen sharply. After reaching a historic low in 2013, the rate has climbed to a 30-year high of 2.27 in 2022, with a slight decrease to 1.91 in 2024. Between 2015 and 2024, 7,292 Canadians were murdered, with an estimated 1,200 additional lives lost compared to 2014 rates. This increase in violence has drawn international attention, with Interpol identifying Canada as a key source for stolen vehicles.

Canada's birthrate has reached alarming lows, now at 1.25 children per woman, significantly below the replacement rate. This decline poses a risk of demographic collapse, with projections indicating a potential population decrease of one-third over generations without immigration. In 2023, Canada was classified among nations with the lowest fertility rates, alongside South Korea, Spain, Italy, and Japan.

In response to these challenges, the government has identified several energy and resource projects for expedited approval. These include the North Coast Transmission Line, Ksi Lisims LNG export terminal, and various mining projects across the country. However, critics note that many of these projects have faced delays and may require government financing to move forward.