The Toronto Foundation released Toronto’s Vital Signs Round-Up on Growth, a first-ever snapshot of the city through a limited set of indicators and community voices. This new series of Roundups will feature a unique theme and serve as a complement to the full Toronto Vital Signs Report, which will be released again in 2026. Due to the current economic climate, more Torontonians are being exposed to economic vulnerability, impacting their physical and mental wellbeing. To address the needs of Torontonians, nonprofits are trying to fill the gaps in the social safety net. More residents are open to volunteering to support these efforts, however, fewer people are donating to charities.
Population growth in Toronto increased five times more than the average over the previous decade, with 125,000 new residents. Of the overall population of Toronto, more than 2.7 million people (in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area) say they are struggling to get by. That’s an increase of close to 700,000 residents from 2023. Toronto Foundation notes that half the population is earning below the living wage. While organizations working to support vulnerable Torontonians are experiencing an increased demand for services despite donations falling.
For further information about the Toronto Foundation’s research, click here.