Young Canadians are feeling intense pressure to buy a home—on par with societal expectations around marriage and starting a family—according to a new national survey from real estate platform Wahi.
Wahi’s 2025 Homebuying Pressure Point Survey, conducted among Angus Reid Forum members, found that 54 per cent of Millennials and 41 per cent of Gen Z respondents reported feeling pressure to own property, significantly higher than the national average of 34 per cent.
By comparison, only 30 per cent of Gen Xers and just 13 per cent of Baby Boomers—who have the highest rates of homeownership—said they felt similar pressure.
“As Canadian home values have increased over the decades, so has the pressure to own real estate,” says Wahi CEO Benjy Katchen. “While long-term price trends suggest homebuying is often a smart decision, it’s important that Canadians do their due diligence before making what will likely be the biggest purchase of their lives.”
Less pressure in Quebec and the East Coast
The pressure to own was lowest in Quebec (26 per cent) and Atlantic Canada (29 per cent), regions with relatively more affordable home prices, said Wahi.
It was highest in Alberta (41 per cent), which is attracting homebuyers from other, more expensive provinces, and B.C. (39 per cent), home to some of the country’s priciest local housing markets.
Other findings:
- 81 per cent of boomers and 74 per cent of Gen Xers own property in Canada, versus 61 per cent of Millennials and 21 per cent of Gen Z.
- 55 per cent of non-owners are unhappy with not owning a home.
- 50 per cent of Canadians believe that renting is viewed unfavourably.
- 62 per cent of respondents underestimate Canada’s homeownership rate, believing it’s 50 per cent or less.
These findings are from a survey conducted by Wahi from June 17 to June 19 among a representative sample of 1,500 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French.
