Unprecedented Challenges Facing Our Youth

Young people in Canada and the USA stand at a precipice, inheriting a world brimming with potential yet fraught with unprecedented complexities. While often idealized as a period of carefree growth and opportunity, adolescence and young adulthood in these North American nations are increasingly marked by a confluence of economic anxieties, social pressures, and mental health struggles. Understanding the multifaceted difficulties these young individuals face is crucial for fostering a supportive environment that allows them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

One of the most significant hurdles is the escalating cost of living, particularly in relation to stagnant or slowly rising wages for entry-level positions. The dream of homeownership, a cornerstone of previous generations’ aspirations, feels increasingly out of reach for many young Canadians and Americans burdened by student loan debt, high rental costs, and the ever-increasing price of necessities. This economic precarity can delay crucial life milestones, such as starting a family or achieving financial independence, leading to feelings of frustration and disillusionment. The gig economy, while offering flexibility, often lacks the stability and benefits necessary for long-term financial security, further exacerbating these anxieties.

Mental Health Crisis

Young people in Canada and the USA are grappling with a mental health crisis, with studies showing 1 in 4 Canadian youth diagnosed with a mental illness and suicide as a leading cause of death for those aged 15-34, particularly among Indigenous groups (Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund). In the USA, reports indicate a 57% increase in youth suicide rates before COVID and 44% of high school students feeling persistently sad or hopeless (Surgeon General’s Youth Mental Health Stats). Social media exacerbates these issues, contributing to anxiety, especially among marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ youth.

Education and Job Market Barriers

Education costs are a burden, with over 50% of Canadian bachelor’s graduates carrying student debt (Canadian Youth Statistics), and similar trends in the USA, where rising tuition leaves many with loans impacting financial stability. The job market adds pressure, with economic slowdowns leading to lower lifetime earnings for those graduating during recessions, affecting career opportunities, especially for racial and economic minorities.

Housing Affordability Crisis

Housing affordability is a shared challenge, with 32% of Canadian youth in 2022 unable to buy or move due to costs (Canadian Youth Well-being), and similar issues in the USA, where high prices and interest rates delay homeownership, pushing youth into precarious living situations or back to parental homes, limiting independence.

Climate Anxiety and Future Uncertainty

Climate change disproportionately impacts youth, with reports noting children under 5 bearing 88% of the global disease burden from climate change (UNICEF Children’s Futures 2025). Young Canadians express frustration over inadequate climate policies, feeling burdened by future environmental debts (Young Canadians Climate Debt), and in the USA, youth-led climate movements reflect their anxiety about a sustainable future, compounded by economic and social pressures.

Report: Challenges Faced by Young People in Canada and the USA

This report examines the difficulties encountered by young people, typically aged 15 to 30, in Canada and the USA, focusing on mental health, education and job market barriers, housing affordability, and climate anxiety. Drawing from recent studies and statistical data, it highlights shared experiences and national contexts, offering a comprehensive overview as of April 1, 2025.

Introduction

Young people in Canada and the USA are navigating a complex landscape shaped by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, social pressures, and environmental crises. These challenges, often interconnected, impact their well-being, future prospects, and societal roles. This report synthesizes findings from various sources, acknowledging the lack of 2025-specific data and relying on 2023-2024 trends, which are likely to persist given their structural nature.

Mental Health Crisis

Mental health has emerged as a critical issue for youth in both nations. In Canada, recent surveys indicate that 1 in 4 youth have been diagnosed with a mental illness, with suicide being the second leading cause of death for those aged 15-34 (Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund). The suicide rate is particularly high among Indigenous youth, at 5 to 6 times the non-Indigenous rate, and gender-diverse youth face similar risks. The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study, conducted with the World Health Organization, highlights increased psychological distress, especially post-COVID, with many youth lacking access to care due to long waits and stigma (Canadian Youth Mental Health Trends).

In the USA, the Surgeon General’s reports underscore a pre-COVID 57% increase in youth suicide rates and 44% of high school students feeling persistently sad or hopeless (Surgeon General’s Youth Mental Health Stats). Emergency room visits for suicide attempts rose 51% for adolescent girls in early 2021 compared to 2019, with a 4% increase for boys (Pandemic Impact on Youth Mental Health). Social media is a significant factor, with frequent use linked to depression and anxiety, particularly among marginalized groups like LGBTQ+ youth, who face additional barriers to care (Social Media and Youth Mental Health Advisory).

Education and Job Market Barriers

Education and employment opportunities are increasingly challenging for youth. In Canada, over 50% of bachelor’s graduates carry student debt, similar to trends in the early 2000s, with access and quality dependent on location and wealth (Canadian Youth Statistics, Youth Education and Debt). Indigenous youth, in particular, have lower post-secondary completion rates due to transportation and support system gaps (Canada’s State of Youth Report). The rising cost of living, including tuition, forces many to work while studying, limiting career opportunities.

In the USA, rising tuition costs leave many with significant student loans, impacting financial stability. The job market adds pressure, with economic slowdowns leading to labor market scarring. Research from the American Economic Journal suggests graduating during a recession can result in lower lifetime earnings, with employers raising skill requirements for open positions, reducing pay and promotion opportunities (Economic Impact on Canadian Youth). This affects young people, especially racial and economic minorities, competing for fewer jobs in both countries.

Housing Affordability Crisis

Housing affordability is a shared and pressing challenge. In Canada, 32% of youth in 2022 wanted to buy a home or move to a new rental but decided against it due to price concerns, amid high inflation and interest rates (Canadian Youth Well-being). Urban centers see skyrocketing rents, pushing youth into precarious living situations or back to parental homes, delaying independence. Reports highlight the need for affordable independent housing options, especially for those with mental health or organizational challenges (Housing for Brain Injury and Homelessness).

In the USA, similar trends show young adults delayed homeownership due to high prices and interest rates, with housing policy often biased toward protecting existing homeowners’ equity rather than addressing youth affordability (Young Canadians Housing Challenges). This exacerbates financial stress, limiting youth’s ability to establish independent lives, particularly in urban areas where rents are unaffordable.

Climate Anxiety and Future Uncertainty

Climate change disproportionately impacts youth, who will inherit its consequences. Reports indicate children under 5 bear 88% of the global disease burden associated with climate change, with temperatures on track to rise by at least 2°C by 2100 (UNICEF Children’s Futures 2025). Young Canadians express frustration over inadequate climate policies, feeling burdened by future environmental debts, with housing and local planning decisions adding to their economic pressures (Young Canadians Climate Debt). In the USA, youth-led climate movements, such as those advocating for policy changes, reflect their anxiety about a sustainable future, compounded by economic and social pressures, creating a sense of intergenerational inequity.

Comparative Analysis

Both countries share core challenges, but nuances exist. Canada’s Indigenous youth face additional barriers in education and mental health, while the USA sees higher reported rates of youth mental health distress, possibly due to different survey methodologies. Housing affordability is a universal issue, but Canada’s universal healthcare system may mitigate some mental health access issues compared to the USA’s privatized system. Climate anxiety is a global concern, with youth in both nations feeling the weight of future responsibility.

Conclusion

Young people in Canada and the USA face a confluence of mental health crises, economic barriers, housing challenges, and climate anxiety, shaping a generation navigating uncertainty. Addressing these requires policy interventions like affordable education, expanded mental health support, housing initiatives, and robust climate action to ensure their resilience and future prosperity. As of April 1, 2025, these trends, based on 2023-2024 data, are likely to persist, necessitating urgent action.

Table: Summary of Key Challenges

Key Citations

• Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund
• Canadian Youth Statistics
• Surgeon General’s Youth Mental Health Stats
• Canadian Youth Well-being
• UNICEF Children’s Futures 2025
• Young Canadians Climate Debt
• Youth Education and Debt
• Canadian Youth Mental Health Trends
• Pandemic Impact on Youth Mental Health
• Social Media and Youth Mental Health Advisory
• Economic Impact on Canadian Youth
• Housing for Brain Injury and Homelessness
• Young Canadians Housing Challenges
• Canada’s State of Youth Report