Facts About the Elder Population

• In the coming decades, seniors will comprise a larger share of the Canadian population, growing from 3.5 million people in 1996 to an estimated 6.9 million by 2021.
• Since 1920, life expectancy has increased by an average of seven years for men, and 13 years for women.
• For most of their older years, people are disability-free. In 1991, men aged 65 and older could expect to have severe disabilities only for their last two years, and women only for their last four years of life.
• About three-quarters of seniors aged 65 to 74 and two-thirds of those aged 75 and older rate their health as good, very good or excellent.
• Most seniors under age 75 live with their spouses, independently in their own homes. But most people aged 80 and older are women, more than half of whom live alone. The majority of these older women living alone are poor.
• Six per cent of seniors belong to visible minority groups, compared to 13 per cent of persons under age 45. Over the next two decades, the number of seniors who are members of visible minority groups is likely to increase, due to changing immigration patterns.
• Only one of every 25 Aboriginal persons is a senior, while one of every eight non-Aboriginal persons is a senior.
• Approximately one-half of seniors are physically active for 15 minutes or more at least 12 times per month. The most popular physical activities are walking, gardening, home exercise, swimming and dancing.
• The vast majority of seniors live independently and do not require help with daily tasks. Only seven per cent of people aged 65 and older live in institutions.
• When assistance is required with daily tasks, women between the ages of 35 and 55 most commonly provide unpaid care to seniors. About one-quarter of middle-aged women offer unpaid care to seniors.

Content © Health Canada, 2001 Health Canada Division of Aging and Seniors. Please see their disclaimer.    

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