Montréal, November 3, 2026. – In Québec, approximately 27% of people aged 15 and over took on the role of informal caregivers in 2024-2025, or about 2,076,300 people. Most of them supported one person (64%), 28% took care of two people, and 9% assisted three or more people. Approximately 9% of caregivers have been supporting at least one person for more than 20 years.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec is releasing today the full results of the Québec Survey on Caregiver Health and Well-being 2024-2025 conducted among 18,608 people from October 2024 to July 2025.
Who are caregivers devoting their time to?
Approximately 71% of caregivers are supporting at least one person aged 65 or over, while 8% are helping someone under the age of 18. The most common types of relationships between caregivers and care recipients are as follows:
- 40% of caregivers are helping their father or mother
- 15% are helping their partner
- 13% are supporting their child
- 10% are supporting their brother or sister
- 15% are supporting a friend
More than two thirds of caregivers experience stress
About 69% of caregivers experienced stress related to their caregiver role in the year preceding the survey.
Approximately 49% of caregivers reported having caregiving responsibilities that are physically difficult, while 17% reported having physical health problems such as being sick more often or feeling tired or physically stressed.
Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers (25%) feel that their caregiving role has impacted their ability to meet their financial obligations or basic needs.
Balancing caregiving, work and studies
In the 12 months preceding the survey, the majority of caregivers had a job (70%), while 12% were pursuing studies and 10% worked and studied during that period.
Overall, 44% of them reported having difficulty balancing their caregiving tasks with their daily activities such as housework, work, studies, family responsibilities, and recreation.
Among caregivers whose main job is in paid employment—as opposed to self-employment—about 36% took advantage of flexible working hours, 24% took paid family leave, and 19% worked remotely because of their caregiving responsibilities.
Because of their caregiving role, 26% of caregivers reduced their working hours, 44% interrupted a workday, and 29% took unpaid leave. In addition, about 8% of caregivers who worked in the 12 months preceding the survey left their job temporarily or permanently during that period, still because of their caregiving responsibilities.
Administrative procedures prove difficult
Some caregivers have experienced difficulties related to their caregiving responsibilities: nearly 26% had trouble finding help and resources, 21% had difficulty communicating with health care and social services workers on behalf of the people they support, and 26% struggled to navigate the health and social services system.
Resources to support caregivers
Nearly 46% of caregivers used at least one service aimed at supporting them in their role in the 12 months preceding the survey, and 54% feel that their experience as caregivers is understood, recognized and respected by professionals and other workers in the health and social services network.
Moreover, 64% of caregivers reported receiving help from others (family, friends, neighbours or acquaintances) when they need it to perform their caregiving tasks.
To learn more:
Read the highlights (in French only)
Read the full report (PDF) (in French only)
The Institut de la statistique du Québec is the public body responsible for providing reliable, objective statistical information about Québec society. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.