Young Quebec women more pessimistic than men about their personal finances

A study found that women are more pessimistic when it comes to finances. (Pexels)

Young women are more pessimistic and cautious than men about their personal finances and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a Léger survey conducted for ÉducÉpargne, the results of which were released on Sunday, coinciding with International Women’s Day.

The purpose of the survey was to better understand the behaviours and concerns of Quebecers aged 18-34 regarding their personal finances and the use of AI, the non-profit organization said in a news release.

The biggest difference is in savings. The survey indicates that 50 per cent of men surveyed believe it is easy to save, compared to only 35 per cent of women.

The majority of these men (61 per cent) have a retirement plan, compared to 37 per cent of women.

Furthermore, the survey shows that 55 per cent of young men say they have a retirement plan, compared to 37 per cent of women.

Among the obstacles identified to achieving a satisfactory level of savings, the three main ones mentioned are: the high cost of living (40 per cent M, 38 per cent F), insufficient income (19 per cent M, 24 per cent F) and prioritizing debt repayment (18 per cent M, 21 per cent F). It should be noted that these three main obstacles are the same for both men and women.

“We expected some differences between men and women, but never such large gaps, especially in 2026 for people in this age group,” said Nathalie Bachand, financial planner and chair of the board of ÉducÉpargne.

She also pointed out that “women generally reach retirement with 30 per cent less retirement savings than men.”

Use of artificial intelligence

Another part of the survey focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in personal finance management. Once again, the results show significant differences between men and women.

Among other highlights, the survey reveals that 43 per cent of men say they have already used AI in managing their personal finances, compared to 21 per cent of women. When it comes to the level of confidence in AI for saving and investing, 59 per cent of men are confident, compared to 35 per cent of women.

This web survey was conducted by Léger from Jan. 8 to 16, 2026, among 601 Quebec residents aged 18 to 34. It is not possible to calculate a margin of error for a sample drawn from a web panel, but for comparison purposes, the maximum margin of error for a sample of 601 respondents is ±4.0%, 19 times out of 20.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 8, 2026.