It’s being called the largest increase in Canada’s proportion of seniors since the first census was taken back in 1871, a sure sign that the population’s aging at a faster pace.
Seniors address NDP government officials at Fairview’s Harvest Lodge in August 2016. (Photo/Fairview Post)
Statistics Canada numbers show that with the first set of baby boomers pushing past the age of 65, it’s caused a growth of about 20 percent nationwide between 2011 and 2016.
In Alberta and British Columbia, the growth rate was at 23.3 percent in both provinces.
In a news release, StatsCan says that many aspects are being shaped by the fact that with the first baby boomers now leaving the job market, more of them are now receiving an old age pension, and are also seeking more health care services. As well, empty nests are on the rise, with more couples than ever that have children who’ve left home on the rise.
Also of note, there are now more seniors than children living in Canada.
As of the 2016 Census, there are now 5.9-million Canadians who are 65 years of age or older, while there are only 5.8-million who are 14 years or younger. If this trend continues, StatsCan says that in 2031, one in four Canadians could be 65 years or older.
Meanwhile, people aged 15 to 64 years of age number about 23.4-million people, or 66.5 percent of the population, down from 68.5 percent over the previous five years.
Also bringing the numbers of seniors up is the rising life-expectancy. Between 2011 and 2016, the number of centenarians in the country grew 41.3 percent.
Another factor StatsCan lists for Canada’s aging population is the fact that the number of children remains limited, with fertility rates remaining consistently low since the 1970s.
– Posted by BET
