British Columbians and Atlantic Canadians are among the most concerned about their personal debt levels, according to RBC's January Canadian consumer outlook report.
About two-thirds of British Columbians and a similar proportion of Atlantic Canadians worry about their debt, higher than the national average of 58%. Only 13% say their personal financial situation is better than three months ago, compared with the national average of 21%.
B.C. residents also feel they will be debt free later, at age 58, versus 57 for other Canadians.
British Columbians are also the most anxious about their job security, with job anxiety rising 3% to 32%, higher than the national average of 26%. Fewer B.C. residents were optimistic about the national economy, with 43% characterizing it as good, compared with 48% nationally.
Nationally, Quebeckers were the least concerned with their debt levels with only half concerned about it. On average, Quebeckers think they will be debt free by 54 and are the most optimistic about the prospects of the economy in the coming year.