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SURVEY 2024

2024 CDFN Member Survey

What diplomatic families told us

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The survey results are more than data — they’re a roadmap for building a more supportive and compassionate framework for diplomatic families.

253participants across the diplomatic community
64%were posted abroad at the time of the survey
49%are aged 36 to 45 — the largest age group
24proposals for change rated by respondents

What we heard

Postings can be rewarding — but they come at a real professional and financial cost for the partner.

✓ Bright spot53%

agree that postings abroad have overall been a positive experience.

! Strain67%

say going on posting has adversely affected their professional life.

! Strain84%

say there are not adequate employment opportunities at missions abroad.

! Strain92%

feel they cannot get adequate support from the Spousal Employment Support Office (SESO).

! Strain73%

worry that the lack of employment prospects on posting will hurt their retirement finances.

The top priorities for change

Respondents ranked 24 proposals to better support partners of Canadians posted abroad. Share who placed each proposal in their top 10:

  • 1A qualified employment pool for partners abroad — like the US “Family Reserve Corps”
    68.7%
  • 2Embassy contracts paid at Ottawa rates, not local rates
    65.7%
  • 3Foreign-language training before and during postings
    64.6%
  • 4Priority access to embassy jobs for qualified family members
    57.6%
  • 5An officially recognized partners’ network, present in discussions with the employer
    52.0%
  • 6CPP/QPP contributions funded for partners who left work to follow a posting
    48.0%

Four themes lead the way: spousal employment, training, official representation & access to information, and retirement support. All 24 proposals are ranked in the full report.

“Spouses are a valuable untapped resource! We are here and we want to work!”

— Survey respondent, on employment at missions abroad

Dive into the full results

Detailed findings, all 24 ranked proposals, and comments from diplomatic family members in their own words.

Download the full report (PDF) View the summary deck (PPTX)

Survey conducted by the Canadian Diplomatic Family Network in 2024 · 253 participants (205 in English, 48 in French) · Results published September 2024.