Low net worth linked to poor health in Quebec retirees

A study by the Observatoire québécois des inégalités (OQI) indicates that low net worth is linked to poorer health outcomes for retirees in Quebec. Based on data from Statistique Canada and qualitative interviews conducted in 2025 and 2026, the research shows that individuals with higher assets—specifically those who own property and have private pensions—report better general health.

Conversely, retirees with low net worth face a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and report greater difficulty meeting health needs, even with Quebec’s public healthcare coverage. This financial strain often forces seniors to make difficult trade-offs, such as reducing spending on food and transportation or foregoing necessary medical care, including dental services.