For the first time, seniors outnumber children in Canada, as the population experienced its greatest increase in the proportion of older people since Confederation, according to the latest census data.
Statistics Canada’s 2016 census figures released Wednesday include demographic data related to age, gender and where Canadians live.
There are now 5.9 million Canadian seniors, compared to 5.8 million Canadians 14 and under.
This is due to the historic increase in the number of people over 65 — a jump of 20 per cent since 2011 and a significantly greater increase than the five per cent growth experienced by the population as a whole.
The increase in the share of the oldest Canadians was even bigger — up 19.4 per cent for those over 85 and up 41.3 per cent among those over 100.
The result is the median age of the Canadian population in 2016 increased to 41.2 years, six months older than the median age just five years ago. (Median age is the point that separates an equal number of Canadians who are older and younger.)
The aging of the population is due to the first baby boomers turning 65 over the last five years, as well as the increasing life expectancy of Canadians and a low fertility rate.
Original Post
Éric Grenier · Politics and polls · CBC News May 3, 2017
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/2016-census-age-gender-1.4095360