đš New Report: Experiences of Older Women in Canada: Findings from the NIA's 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey
Women in Canada are living longer than menâbut many are ageing with greater financial insecurity, loneliness and exposure to ageism.
Today, the NIA, in partnership with @ILCCanada and with support from Women and Gender Equality Canada, released Experiences of Older Women in Canada: Findings from the NIA's 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey. This is the first report in a three-part research series examining how gender shapes the experience of ageing in Canada.
The findings reveal that older women, particularly those with inadequate incomes and those who are racialized, face barriers to financial security, social participation and health care access.
As Canada is now a super-aged society, targeted policies are needed to ensure all older adults can age with confidence.
The 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey is a nationally representative study capturing the experiences and perspectives of Canadians aged 50+, conducted with support from @Manulife and Waltons Trust.
đ Read the report: https://t.co/upOc4rMwM5
#AgeingInCanada #OlderWomen #HealthyAgeing #GenderEquality
đŠ Material Deprivation
Material deprivation measures whether people can afford basic necessitiesânot just their income.
In a new report, Experiences of Older Women in Canada, the NIA Ageing in Canada survey found that 23% of older women experience material deprivation, compared to 16% of men.
Among women reporting inadequate incomes, 68% experienced a poverty-level standard of living.
Healthy ageing requires access to essentials such as housing, food, medications and social participation.
đ Read the report: https://t.co/upOc4rLYWx
This report was released in partnership with @ILCCanada with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Funding for the 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey was provided by @Manulife and Waltons Trust.
#Poverty #HealthyAgeing #OlderWomen
đŠ Retirement Readiness
Are Canadians financially prepared for retirement?
The NIA Ageing in Canada Survey found that older women were:
âą More likely to have less than $5,000 saved for retirement (26% vs. 19% of men)
âą Less likely to be able to retire when they want (25% vs. 33%)
These differences reflect the cumulative impacts of gender pay gaps, pension gaps and unpaid caregiving.
đ Read the report: https://t.co/upOc4rLYWx
This report was released in partnership with @ILCCanada with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Funding for the 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey was provided by @Manulife and Waltons Trust.
#Retirement #FinancialSecurity #OlderWomen
đ° Income Adequacy
Women face a lifelong gender income gapâand its effects continue into older age.
Compared to men, older women were more likely to report:
âą Inadequate income (24% vs. 19%)
âą Material deprivation (23% vs. 16%)
Income adequacy shapes nearly every aspect of ageing, from health to social participation.
Supporting financial security across the life course is key to healthy ageing.
đ Read the report: https://t.co/upOc4rLYWx
This report was released in partnership with @ILCCanada with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Funding for the 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey was provided by @Manulife and Waltons Trust.
#IncomeSecurity #GenderEquality #AgeingInCanada
đ§ Experiences of Ageism
Ageism and sexism often intersect.
In Experiences of Older Women in Canada: Findings from the NIA's 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey, the report found that older women were more likely than men to experience multiple forms of everyday ageism (33% vs. 28%).
Older women with inadequate incomes experienced even higher rates of ageism, with 45% reporting three or more forms of ageism.
Addressing ageism is essential to building a more inclusive Canada for all ages.
đ Read the report: https://t.co/upOc4rLYWx
This report was released in partnership with @ILCCanada with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Funding for the 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey was provided by @Manulife and Waltons Trust.
#Ageism #OlderWomen #AgeingInCanada
đ Social Engagement
Racialized older women face distinct barriers to social engagement and access to health care
Among racialized older women, only 27% participated in social activities weekly, compared to 34% of non-racialized women.
Racialized older women were more likely to report:
- Cost as a barrier to participation (45%)
- Being too busy or having other responsibilities (31%)
- Transportation challenges (19%)
Creating age-friendly communities means ensuring everyone can participate.
đ Read Experiences of Older Women in Canada: Findings from the NIA's 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey report: https://t.co/upOc4rLYWx
This report was released in partnership with @ILCCanada with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Funding for the 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey was provided by @Manulife and Waltons Trust.
#SocialParticipation #HealthyAgeing #OlderWomen
How can we rethink housing to better support an ageing society?
Join the third edition of the Urban North Webinar Series, presented by UN-Habitat Canada, for âHousing for an Ageing Society: Rethinking Homes, Communities, and Careâ on July 24.
This webinar will explore how demographic change, housing accessibility, affordability and community-based solutions intersect to shape the housing experiences of older adults in Canada and beyond. Speakers from across North America and internationally, including @alyssabrierley, Executive Director of the NIA, will discuss innovative approaches to creating homes and communities that better support people as they age.
đ July 24, 2026
đ 9:00 a.m. ET
Register: https://t.co/hbYroOSugY
#HealthyAgeing #AgeFriendlyCommunities #Housing #OlderAdults #AgeingSociety
Extreme heat and wildfire smoke can pose serious health risks, especially for older adults.
As Manitoba continues to experience extreme weather conditions, @DrSamirSinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA, spoke with Marcy Markusa on CBC Manitobaâs Information Radio about the health impacts of heat and wildfire smoke on older adults, and what steps can be taken to help protect their health.
Listen to the interview: https://t.co/fBbzm4dsLO
#HealthyAgeing #OlderAdults #ClimateHealth #ExtremeHeat
đ€ Social Network Strength
Loneliness is a growing public health concernâand older women are disproportionately affected.
In a new report, Experiences of Older Women in Canada: Findings from the NIA's 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey, 61% of older women reported experiencing loneliness, compared to 54% of men.
Compared to older women with adequate income, older women with inadequate incomes were even more likely to experience:
âą Social isolation (37% vs 53%)
âą Loneliness (55% vs 76%)
Strong social connections are essential for healthy ageing.
đ Read the report: https://t.co/upOc4rLYWx
This report was released in partnership with @ILCCanada with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Funding for the 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey was provided by @Manulife and Waltons Trust.
#Loneliness #SocialConnection #AgeingInCanada