An Exploration of Citizens’ Views on Income Support Programs

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Why this study

We often wonder why some people think that income support programs (like unemployment benefits, retirement pensions, or disability assistance) don't work well. We know that things like not finishing school, being part of a racial group, or not speaking the main language can make it harder for people to get help. This can make them feel upset with the system. But we often forget to look at bigger things, like how the country's benefits system works. Governments are keen to understand how people feel about the programs they offer, because this helps them improve how these programs are designed and delivered. Our study looked at both personal traits and country features to find out why some people aged 55 to 64 are unhappy with these programs in Canada and other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Learning what might be causing these negative views can help us make these programs better.

What we did

We used data from a survey called the OECD's 2022 Risks That Matter Survey and other sources. Our study looked at 4,316 people between the ages of 55 and 64 from Canada, the U.S., and some countries in Europe.

We looked at answers to 10 survey questions. These questions asked if people thought income support programs were fair, easy to use, and helpful. We used the answers to make a score that showed how happy or unhappy people were with the programs. Then, we built a statistical model to find out what things were linked to being unhappy. We looked at things like personal traits, political opinions, and how fair, equal, and caring a country is toward its people.

What we found

People aged 55 to 64 were more likely to be unhappy with income support programs if they:

• were women
• took care of a sick or older family member
• thought many people getting money from the government didn't really deserve it
• didn't support the government in power
• lived in a country that:
  • has a less generous and inclusive welfare model
  • has big income gaps between rich and poor
  • spends a lot on social programs
  • doesn't seem to have much corruption

They were less likely to be unhappy if they:

• were single (never married)
• felt like a minority because of their skin colour or background
• believed people are poor because they don't try hard enough
• lived in a country with a generous and inclusive welfare model

Out of all these things, the two that were most strongly linked to being unhappy with these programs were whether people liked the government and the type of welfare model in their country. After considering all these factors, we didn't find big differences between countries in how unhappy people were with these programs.

What it means

Our study shows that how older adults feel about income support programs depends on their personal traits and beliefs as well as what's happening in their country. Making these programs easier to use is important, but it might not be enough. To help older adults feel better about these programs, we might need to work on building confidence in the government (beyond what's possible with better service delivery) and change welfare policies to better meet people's needs.

Contact us

Strategic and Service Policy Branch, Service Policy and Strategy Directorate, Service Research Division

Email: esdc.nc.sspb.research-recherche.dgpss.cn.edsc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca