A new Statistics Canada report reveals a striking decline in in-person socialization among Canadians, with working-age adults experiencing the most significant drop in time spent with friends. According to the data, only 19.3 per cent of Canadians reported seeing friends on a typical day in 2022—down dramatically from 47.9 per cent in 1986.
The findings highlight a steep and ongoing shift in social behavior over the past 36 years, with the most pronounced change among those aged 25 to 64. In 1986, 42 per cent of Canadians in that age group spent time with friends on a given day; by 2022, that number had plummeted to just 14 per cent.
Youth aged 15 to 24 also saw a significant decline—from around 71 per cent in 1986 to 41 per cent in 2022—though they remain the most socially active group in terms of face-to-face interaction.
The StatCan survey defined socialization strictly as in-person time spent with friends and family, excluding communication through phones, email, or social media platforms.
Coinciding with the decline in physical social interaction is a growing sense of disconnection. In 2022, nearly 46 per cent of Canadians said they felt they weren’t spending enough time with friends and family—up from just under 34 per cent in 1992.
The report also reveals that Canadians in 2022 felt more “pressed for time” than at any point since data collection began in the early 1990s. Nearly one in four respondents reported feeling chronically time-starved, compared to 15 per cent three decades ago.
Experts say the data point to a broader cultural and economic shift in Canada—where demanding work schedules, digital distractions, and evolving lifestyles have reduced opportunities for spontaneous socializing, even as the desire for meaningful connection remains strong.