Fewer working-age persons for each senior

On July 1, 2013, there were 4.5 working-age persons (aged 15 to 64) for each person aged 65 and over. This ratio is an indicator of the changes occurring to the age structure of the Canadian population. It provides an approximation of the size of the senior population in relation to the potential pool of workers aged 15 to 64.
From the 1950s to the early 1970s, there were approximately eight working-age persons for each person aged 65 and over. This ratio has since declined to its current level.
According to all scenarios of the most recent population projections, the ratio of the working-age population for each senior aged 65 and over could decline by about half in the next 50 years. By the late 2050s, there could be just over two working-age persons for each person aged 65 and over.

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