Research from the 2023 Toronto’s Vital Signs report points to three alarming trends:
Participation in groups and activities is down by approximately 30% versus before the pandemic.
Toronto ranks as among the loneliest places in the country. About 925,000 adults in Toronto (37%) felt lonely on at least three or four days in the last week in 2023—higher than the rest of the country (28%).
Between 2018 and 2022, the volunteer rate in Toronto fell from 37% to 25%. Considering the average volunteering levels, this equates to a loss of approximately 36 million volunteer hours or 20,000 full-time positions.
We believe increasing participation in group activities can curb the rising tide of social isolation and loneliness. Engaging in your community with others can increase your wellbeing, expand your social support network, and have a positive impact on society as a whole.