Canadian Adolescents: Rising Debt Levels

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Are youths more susceptible towards demographic changes in regards to rising debt levels? Increasing debt levels are posing a dilemma for many Canadians – especially the younger generation. Six out of ten Canadians between the ages of 18 to 29 have debt, with 60 percent of household debt coming from those under the age of 45. Younger people are starting to borrow money even before their careers begin. With an increased cost of living set to raise about 3 percent by the end of 2017, it seems almost impossible to create a “successful” lifestyle by living within our means. The access of various loans have enabled the younger generation to improve their lives faster than ever before; eventually coming with a burdensome cost. Today, the younger generation has easier access to post-secondary education, owning cars and owning homes, which are some of the major ways in which rising debt levels have contributed to the change in demographic trends focused on Canadian youths. …show more content…

Post-secondary tuition is extremely expensive for many households to afford, averaging about $6,191 per semester. This forces many youths to resort to loans in order to have the ability to pursue their academic endeavors. 64 percent of youths in Ontario receive student loans, which in most cases take years to pay off. In the 2015/2016 school year, undergraduate students paid 3.2 percent more compared to the 2014/2015 school year. However, enrolments to post-secondary institutions went up 1.2 percent despite the increased price. Without this opportunity for financial assistance, many youths could not possibly be able to continue schooling. Loans have drastically enabled younger people to have the opportunity to afford and enjoy a better

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