Nearly four-in-five recent graduates are optimistic about their future, despite ongoing financial pressures

Securian Canada’s new research showcases a generation struggling with financial security, delaying life milestones

TORONTO, September 28, 2026 – A new research report, Today’s Graduates: Securian Canada Insights, reveals that recent graduates in Canada remain optimistic about their financial futures, despite feelings of uncertainty and affordability pressures. According to the survey, conducted in collaboration with the Angus Reid Group, nearly four-in-five (78%)¹ recent graduates are optimistic about their financial future. This includes 23 per cent describing themselves as optimistic and confident and 55 per cent describing themselves as uncertain but hopeful about what’s ahead.

“Canada’s recent graduates are entering the next stage of their lives with ambition and a clear desire to build a secure future,” said Nigel Branker, Chief Executive Officer, Securian Canada. “At the same time, they are navigating financial pressures that are shaping how they define career progress and success.”

Uncertainty about their financial future has not diminished recent graduates’ optimism, which is reflected in their beliefs about their education and careers. Nearly three-quarters (73%) believe their post-secondary education has set them up for a better financial future, rising to 78 per cent among those who have entered a career-path role. Notably, 81 per cent of recent graduates are employed, with 64 per cent in full-time positions and 17 per cent in part-time jobs.

Recent graduates are also actively working toward their financial goals. More than half (59%) are able to set money aside each month, while 85 per cent say their financial habits align with their goals at least to some extent.

Job stability and optimism do not always translate into financial security

While 81 per cent of recent graduates are employed – including 64 per cent with full-time jobs – this does not always translate into a strong financial cushion. Nearly half (45%) of all recent graduates could only cover less than three months of basic expenses if their income stopped today, while 40 per cent say they are struggling or just managing financially.

Financial pressures also extend beyond day-to-day expenses. More than three-quarters (78%) of recent graduates carry some form of debt, including credit card balances (42%) and student loans (33%). Even three to five years after graduating, 47 per cent of recent graduates report difficulty covering housing and student loan costs.

These pressures are also shaping major financial decisions and life plans. More than half (52%) are delaying homeownership, while 29 per cent are delaying marriage or long-term relationships. More than one-quarter (28%) are also delaying starting a family.

The research also demonstrates a gap in insurance ownership and financial protection. Among recent graduates, one-in-five (20%) say they do not have any of the following coverages: life insurance, health and dental insurance, critical illness insurance, creditor insurance or balance protection insurance.

Gaps in understanding financial protection may also make it more difficult for recent graduates to navigate their options. Only one-quarter (25%) associate financial protection with insurance, while 31 per cent associate it primarily with savings or government programs (e.g., Ontario Disability Support Program, Employment Insurance, Workers’ Compensation Board benefits). Nearly one-in-five (18%) are unsure what financial protection means at all, or what they should associate it with.

“It’s reassuring to see that recent graduates are optimistic about their future, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re on a path to long-term financial security,” added Branker. "The pressures recent graduates face with increased costs of living and the need to delay major life milestones reinforce the need for simpler and more accessible insurance solutions that will help keep them on track to meet their financial, professional and personal goals.”

To learn more about recent graduates – including their level of financial independence, digital habits for financial planning, specific insights on those who are newcomers to Canada, and more – read Today’s Graduates: Securian Canada Insights here.

About Today’s Graduates: Securian Canada Insights

Securian Canada commissioned this study in partnership with Angus Reid Group. The survey was fielded from March 31 to April 20, 2026, among 2,277 adult Canadians.

The study intentionally oversampled adults aged 18-34, including 1,017 recent graduates and 620 other young adults, to enable detailed analysis and comparisons across age and graduate cohorts. The sample also included approximately 600 Canadians aged 35 and older. Residents of Canada's three territories were not included in the study due to sample availability and recruitment challenges. Results were weighted to Statistics Canada parameters for age, gender and region so that overall findings reflect the broader Canadian adult population. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of +/-2.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. All data provided in this survey is based on self-identified information from respondents.

Today’s Graduates: Securian Canada Insights is the third report in an ongoing research series focused on insights into traditionally underserved markets in Canada.

About Securian Canada

At Securian Canada, we help build secure tomorrows. We design solutions that enable our partners to provide coverage to more Canadians because we believe insurance is for everyone.

Working alongside Canada's leading financial institutions, member organizations and other strategic partners, we combine intuitive technology, human insight and a flexible, collaborative approach to help make insurance simpler, more accessible and more relevant to the evolving needs of Canadians.

Established in 1955, Securian Canada is a leading insurance provider and an independent subsidiary of Securian Financial Group, Inc.

For more information, visit securiancanada.ca.

Securian Canada media contact

Heather MacDonald
Director, External Communications
437-677-8010
heather.macdonald@securiancanada.ca