Quality of life in Calgary drops during pandemic: report

Do you feel like your quality of life has declined over the past year? If you answered ‘yes,’ you’re among many Calgarians who also report feeling the same way.

The 2021 Vital Signs report from the Calgary Foundation shows fewer people in this city feel they have a good quality of life when compared to other years.

In 2020, 75 per cent of Calgarians who responded to the survey said they had a good quality of life. The 2021 report shows that dropped by 11 points to 64 per cent.

A third of all respondents say they’re stressed over finances and 26 per cent say they’re stressed due to family matters.

Younger people have reported the most stress, with 63 per cent of people under 25 saying they’re stressed due to health concerns, and 34 per cent who feel stressed over isolation.

The 2021 Vital Signs report finds many Calgarians have been feeling stressed. The same is especially true for people under 25. (Courtesy Calgary Foundation)

They’re also reporting having poor or below average mental health during the ongoing pandemic.

Close to a third of overall respondents say they don’t have access to mental health services, while over 40 per cent say they don’t have access to addictions support.

Meanwhile, when it comes to work, many people have either seen their hours slashed or been temporarily or permanently laid off.

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Thirty per cent of people aged 35 to 64 have reported this reduction in work, while 51 per cent of people 18 to 34 have said the same.

“It is too soon to understand the impact the pandemic will have on our city, but there can be little doubt it will be a lasting one,” said Calgary Foundation CEO Eva Friesen.

Vital Signs is a citizen survey released by the Calgary Foundation. It polls a thousand people annually to ask about quality of life and related issues.