Statistics Canada - Statistique Canada
Skip main navigation menuSkip secondary navigation menuHomeFrançaisContact UsHelpSearch the websiteCanada Site
The DailyCanadian StatisticsCommunity ProfilesProducts and servicesHome
CensusCanadian StatisticsCommunity ProfilesProducts and servicesOther links

Warning View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Media Room Search The Daily View or print The Daily in PDF format. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader The Daily archives Latest release from the Labour Force Survey Latest release from the Consumer Price Index Recently released products Latest economic indicators Release dates Get a FREE subscription to The Daily Information about The Daily The Daily
Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Study: Aging, health and work

2003

The people in Canada's labour force who were within 10 years of retirement in 2003 were generally in good or excellent physical and mental health, according to a new study.

However, nearly half a million (19%) individuals aged between 50 and 69 had already left the labour force because of health-related reasons. Their loss is important because of rising concerns over a labour shortage in coming years as the baby-boom generation nears retirement and the growth in Canada's population slows. In 2002, 20% of workers were within 10 years of the median retirement age, double the proportion 15 years earlier.

This study used data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey to examine the severity of the health issues faced by these individuals.

The study showed that the issue worsens with age. For every 100 working men aged 50 to 54 in 2003, only 6 were not working because of ill health. By the age of 65 to 69, this ratio had tripled to 19.

Among women, the ratio was substantially higher, and the increase by age larger. For every 100 working women aged 50 to 54, 10 were not working for health reasons. By the age of 65 to 69, this had risen nearly four-fold.

The study found that individuals who were not working because of ill health rated their physical and mental health as fair to poor. Chronic conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism, high blood pressure and back problems were common concerns.

Of those not working for health reasons, 7 in 10 older men and 9 in 10 women suffered from three or more chronic conditions. These rates were much higher than in the working population.

Mobility was a key concern. Half of women aged 50 to 54 who were not working for health reasons had mobility problems, which could impair their access to the workplace.

In addition, the impact of pain was clearly a concern. For example, only 25% of men aged 50 to 54 who were not working because of ill health were free of pain, compared with 87% of working men in this age group. Almost all of those not working who experienced pain reported moderate to severe levels.

Various risk factors were also associated with not working for health reasons. Among men aged 50 to 54, 42% of those not working for health reasons smoked, compared with only 26% of those working. Unhealthy weight was a similar factor.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3226 and 3251.

The article "Aging, health and work" is available in the February 2006 online edition of Perspectives on Labour and Income, Vol. 7, no. 2 (75-001-XIE, $6/$52).

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Wendy Pyper (613-951-0381; wendy.pyper@statcan.gc.ca), Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Division.



Home | Search | Contact Us | Français Return to top of page
Date Modified: 2008-11-16 Important Notices