Publications

    Canada Year Book

    2011

    Past issues

    Historical collection

    More older fathers

    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.

    [an error occurred while processing this directive]11-402-x[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]

    The average age of fathers now exceeds 40 years. Their average age increased by 1.8 years from 39.8 years in 1995 to 41.6 years in 2006. Fathers are men aged 18 to 65 who have fathered, adopted or reared a child aged 18 or younger.

    In 1995, 43.5% of fathers were in their thirties and 35.9% were in their forties. That situation was reversed in 2006, when 33.4% were in their thirties and 43.6% in their forties. The proportion of fathers in their fifties grew from 10.4% in 1995 to 14.9% in 2006.

    The average age at which men become fathers has also been rising, from 27.8 years in 1995 to 29.1 years in 2006. At the same time, the average age of first births rose for women from 28.2 to 29.3 years.

    The phenomenon of older fathers is consistent with the overall aging of the population. Several factors contribute to the trend: young people are leaving the parental home at older ages, men are forming conjugal unions at older ages, men are becoming parents at older ages, and men are forming second families sooner after the break-up of a previous union.

    Chart 29.2 Fathers, by age group
    View data source for chart 29.2

    Report a problem on this page

    Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

    Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

    Privacy notice

    Date modified: