7.1.1 Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 years who report that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their lives, Canada and the provinces, 2016
| CAN | NL | PE | NS | NB | QC | ON | MB | SK | AB | BC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada/Provinces | 97.6 | 97.8 | 98 | 98.3 | 96.1 | 96.9 | 97.4 | 99.6 | 98.2 | 97.7 | 98.5 |
Source: CICH graphic created using data adapted from Statistics Canada. Table 105-0508 – Canadian health characteristics, annual estimates, by age group and sex, Canada (excluding territories) and provinces, occasional (number unless otherwise noted).
Almost all of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 years report that they are satisfied with their lives.
In Canada overall, 98% of youth aged 12 to 17 said that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their lives.
There was little variation among the provinces.
Males and females were equally likely to be satisfied or very satisfied with their lives.
Implications
The evidence has shown that life satisfaction among young people is an important contributor to positive mental health and is a determinant of many life outcomes.1 Therefore it is important to understand how satisfied and happy young people are with their lives. For example positive life satisfaction is associated with good health, mastery, self-esteem, positive education experiences and attainment of life goals. Associations between life satisfaction and educational, behavioural, social and psychological outcomes have indicated that life satisfaction is a key indicator of well-being.2
1Proctor, Carmel & Linley, P & Maltby, John. (2009). Youth life satisfaction measures: A review. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 4. 128-144. 10.1080/17439760802650816.
2Proctor CL, Linley PA and Maltby J. Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Happiness October 2009, Volume 10, Issue 5, pp 583–630.