Canadians are tired; What’s keeping Canadians up at night in 2025?

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

According to Leo Canada’s annual HumanKind Study™, Canadians are tired for a few reasons; it’s a complex cocktail of burnout, uncertainty, and a deep desire to reclaim control. The recently released national survey, which captured the thoughts and feelings of more than 2,500 Canadians aged 16–45, including newcomers to the country — offers a revealing window into the emotional and psychological state of a generation and a nation caught in the whirlwind of global disruption.

What Canadians want: Control over chaos

In a time marked by geopolitical tension, climate anxiety, rising costs of living, and digital overwhelm, it’s no surprise that 61% of Canadians say they are focusing on things they can control, rather than fixating on the vast, global problems they feel powerless to influence.

That focus is showing up in how Canadians, especially younger ones, are approaching work and life. Nearly 60% of Canadians under 45 are changing the nature of their work in search of better life satisfaction. Healthy work culture is a growing priority, with three-quarters of respondents emphasizing the importance of mental health and balance over traditional hustle culture.

“Do you understand my stress? My exhaustion? My desire for more meaningful living?”

Burnt out, but still pushing: A generation running on empty

That pursuit of balance is running headfirst into systemic fatigue. More than half of Canadians (52%) say they’re constantly chasing a “better life” they may never attain. Even more concerning, 55% of Gen Z and 45% of Millennials say they feel exhausted — yet believe that slowing down would mean failure.

This contradiction is at the heart of a growing mental health crisis: an entire generation striving toward wellness while simultaneously trapped in systems that reward overwork and punish rest.

The pressure is mounting. One-third of Canadians aged 16–45 reported that they, or someone in their household, has experienced layoffs in the last three years — a staggering figure that paints a vivid picture of economic instability and dwindling trust in traditional employment.

Loyalty Is dead—and tech isn’t helping

The study also shines a spotlight on evolving workplace values. A startling 83% of young Canadians either believe their loyalty at work will be exploited, or they’re simply unsure if it’s worth offering. In an era of mass layoffs, remote work, and gig economy shifts, traditional loyalty is being replaced by a more transactional, boundary-conscious approach to employment.

While technology continues to dominate headlines, Canadians—especially students—are deeply conflicted. Seventy percent of students and 58% of the general population believe AI is diminishing critical thinking, and personal perspective. Yet, 67% of students admit to using AI at least occasionally, reflecting a practical acceptance of tools that are simultaneously reshaping the way we: work, learn, and interact.

A call for brands and companies to step up

One of the most powerful takeaways from The HumanKind Study™ is the gap between what Canadians need and what they feel companies and brands are providing. Today’s consumers are no longer just buying products — they are choosing relationships, values, and impact. They are asking, “Do you understand my stress? My exhaustion? My desire for more meaningful living?”

This year’s HumanKind Study is a call to action. Brands, employers, and policymakers need to evolve if they hope to earn the trust and loyalty of this generation. Understanding the emotional landscape of Canadians is now non-negotiable.

As Leo Canada’s research shows, the path forward is clear: listen, adapt, and act with compassion.

To dive deeper into the full study, explore the full report here: https://leoburnett.ca/humankind2025/