Nearly half of Saskatchewan residents believe they are in a worse financial position than last year.

That is according to a new study from the Angus Reid Institute that found 47 percent of those polled in the province feel their finances have taken a hit over the last year.

Saskatchewan’s economy has been battered on two fronts, with a decrease in oil and gas production during the pandemic despite rising prices and poor conditions in the agriculture sector, which nearly halved crop production in 2021.

Despite unemployment below the national average, employment in the province is still below pre-pandemic levels.

Looking forward to the year ahead, Saskatchewan residents aren’t optimistic as two-in-five believe they will be worse off financially one year from now.