SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS: 10 YEARS ON The following shows responses to questions asked by Statistics Canada in 2013 and as part of the General Social Survey in 2022. Full information about both surveys is available in the Research Report. • 2x the proportion of people reporting having no friends has doubled from 6% to 12%. • Declined 11%: The proportion of people with 6+ close family members declined from 43% to 32%. • Declined 14%: The proportion of people with 6+ close friends declined from 36% to 22%. • Declined 10%: The proportion of people who know many or most of their neighbours declined from 42% to 32%. • Declined 12%: The proportion of people with a very strong sense of belonging to their local geographic community dropped by 12 percentage points.
TAKEAWAY
People who are most in need are least likely to have support from friends, family and the community.
Networks of family and friends are critical to creating a sense of belonging and connection. People feeling financially insecure, people who have experienced discrimination, and people with poor physical and mental health are less likely to have the social connections to get support. As the philanthropic and nonprofit sector is addressing a livability and housing crisis, a mental health crisis and embedded colonialism and racism, social connections and programs that strengthen the bonds of friends and family need to be part of how the sector supports communities.
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