Canada: Analysis of Age and the 2006 Census Released

According to Statistics Canada, data from the 2006 Census shows that the number of seniors aged 65 years and over surpassed the 4-million mark for the first time and that the working-age population (15 to 64 years) is becoming increasingly older. As a result, the proportion of senior citizens has increased from 13.0% in 2001 to 13.7% in 2006--an increase that can be seen at the national level as well as in every province, territory and census metropolitan area (CMA) in the country.

In addition, the report--"Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006, by Age and Sex, 2006 Census"--shows that there are barely enough young people entering the working age group to replace those approaching the age of retirement--between 2001 and 2006, the population aged 15 to 24 increased by only 5.3%; for each person leaving the working age group, there was just over one individual entering it.

Source: Statistics Canada The Daily (July 17, 2007)