The Daily. Friday, October 1, 1999
In 1998, there were an estimated 3.7 million individuals aged 65 and over in Canada, a 57% increase from 1981. Seniors made up 12% of the total population in 1998, up from 10% in 1981 and just 5% in 1921.
This population is expected to grow even more rapidly during the next several decades, particularly once baby boomers start turning 65 around 2011. By 2041, a projected 23% of the population will be 65 and over.
The fastest growth is occurring among those in older age ranges. In 1998, there were an estimated 380,000 people aged 85 and over, nearly double the level in 1981 (196,000) and almost 20 times the 21,000 in this age group in 1921.
The senior population is predominantly female. In 1998, women represented 57% of all Canadians aged 65 and over and 70% of those aged 85 and older.
In 1996, 27% of seniors were immigrants, whereas immigrants made up only 17% of the overall population. Victoria, B.C., where 18% of the population is aged 65 and over, is the seniors' capital of Canada.
The life expectancy of seniors has risen substantially during this century. As of 1996, a 65-year-old person had an estimated remaining life expectancy of 18.4 years, roughly half a year more than in 1991, three years more than in 1971, and five years more than in 1921. As in other age groups, senior women have a longer remaining life expectancy than senior men: 20.2 years for a woman aged 65 in 1996, compared with 16.3 years for her male counterpart.
Most seniors describe their health in positive terms. Still, in 1997, 82% of seniors living at home reported that they had been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition, while 25% had a long-term disability or handicap.
While the majority of seniors are retired, a substantial number are still part of the paid work force. In 1998, just over 225,000 people aged 65 and over, or 6% of the total senior population, had jobs. At the same time, 23% of the senior population participated in formal volunteer activities and 58% in informal volunteer activities.
The average income of seniors in 1997 was 18% higher than it was in 1981, once inflation was taken into account. However, in 1997, close to 700,000 seniors, or 19% of the total, had incomes below Statistics Canada's low income cut-offs. There are also considerable differences in economic circumstances depending on family status and sex. In 1997, 49% of all unattached senior women had low incomes, compared with only about 6% of senior women who lived in families.
A portrait of seniors in Canada: third edition (89-519-XPE, $45) is now available. See How to order publications.
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Colin Lindsay (613-951-2603; fax: 613-951-0387; lindcol@statscan.ca), Target Groups Project, Housing, Family and Social Statistics Division.