Canada spends less on children’s well-being than many other high-income nations, potentially risking the next generation’s ability to thrive.
A recent landmark national analysis lays bare a hidden truth that policymakers, health leaders, and citizens alike must confront – without targeted and sustained investment in children’s healthcare, Canada risks its prosperity, well-being, and the long-term challenge of rising financial and social costs.
Lower than expected share
The report, conducted by Deloitte is entitled THRIVE: The Economic Case for Investing in Children’s Health. It quantifies, for the first time in Canada, the economic burden of paediatric illness and the return on investment that early, equitable access to care delivers. It also highlighted the amortized value of early intervention showing that better health outcomes now mean reduced health system strain and stronger economic performance decades down the road.
Today, despite representing roughly 20% of the population, children account for only a small share of health spending and, as many families will testify, many face long waits for essential care. Canada’s paediatric healthcare capacity is stretched thin, with hospitals operating above capacity and community supports lagging behind need.
Long-term social benefits
The THRIVE analysis shows that every dollar invested in improved access to paediatric health interventions returns between approximately $1.39 and $4.89 in social benefit. These returns align with global evidence demonstrating even higher gains when children’s healthcare is resourced proactively rather than reactively. After all, economic impact of lifetime chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes, mood and anxiety disorders, and epilepsy, for instance, will cost billions of dollars.
Children’s health should not be a budget line, suggest the authors. Rather it should be a investment in our ongoing social and economic infrastructure. Case in point: when children are healthy, families carry lower caregiving burdens, fewer health complications arise later in life, and society retains more productive, resilient citizens.
Smart economics
The case for an investment in children’s health should not be mistaken for simple charity. This, according to the report is policy grounded both in economics and human rights. Early action not only reduces expensive emergency care, prevents life-long disability, and strengthens Canada’s future workforce. It is, quite literally, smart economics.
Canada’s children deserve health systems designed around their needs. The evidence in THRIVE compels a shift from short-term budgeting to long-term planning – embedding paediatric health priorities into federal, provincial, and territorial strategies. By doing so, Canada can harness the full potential of its next generation and build a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous nation.
For a full report, visit: childrenshealthcarecanada.ca/media/xbdp3tff/thrive-final-report-sep-25.pdf
Photos: Steven Libralon. Andy Quezada. Deloitte Canada.
