Annual Demographic Estimates: Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2020
Analysis: Population by age and sex

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Impacts of COVID-19 on the age–sex structure of the population

The first case of COVID-19 in Canada was confirmed in late January 2020. The pandemic then gained momentum and led to the introduction of international border restrictions beginning in mid-March. Given that the reference period for the most recent annual estimates is from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, the last three months of the period were mostly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly international migration and, to a lesser degree, deaths.

To understand the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a more in-depth analysis of the age–sex structure of immigrants and non-permanent residents was done. The age pyramids of these subpopulations remained similar to the previous year, as did their average ages, which follow the trends of recent years.

Special attention was also given to the population aged 80 and older, given that 72% (6,164)Note 1 of Canadians whose death was related to COVID-19 were in this age group. By comparison, 50.2% of deaths estimated in 2019/2020 were in the 80-and-over group. Despite the excess mortality observed among the very elderly as a result of the pandemic,Note 2 the estimated population aged 80 and older rose by 38,758 to 1,663,666 on July 1, 2020. This growth is driven by the large number of people aged 79 on July 1, 2019, who were still alive the following year (188,994), which considerably exceeded the number of estimated deaths among people aged 80 and older during the same period (150,609). In addition, the average age (86.1 years) of those 80 and over has remained stable over the past four years. Since international migration is less common at these ages, it does not have a strong impact on the growth of the population aged 80 and older. In short, the excess mortality among people 80 years and older did not cause a decline in their population, because the growth of the cohorts due to aging was greater than the impact of the excess deaths.

Lastly, despite the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on several factors of the population growth (see the section Analysis: Total population), the average age of the Canadian population in 2020 followed the same upward trend as found in the population aging process.

In sum, COVID-19 had a limited impact on the age and sex profile of the population of Canada for the year 2019/2020.

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For the purposes of this article, various indicators are used to measure population aging. These include the number, proportion and distribution of the population aged 0 to 14 years and 65 years and older, the demographic dependency ratio, and the average age. The average age of a population is the average age of all its members.

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This section presents an analysis of the population estimates by age and sex for Canada, the provinces and territories on July 1, 2020, compared with July 1 estimates in previous years.

The aging of baby boomers accelerates Canada’s population aging

Population aging represents one of the major changes associated with Canada’s age–sex structure, and it continues to shape Canada’s society and economy. It is the result of baby boomers—cohorts born between 1946 and 1965—reaching more advanced ages, combined with a fertility rate below the replacement level (2.1 children per woman) since 1972Note 3 and a quasi-continuous increase in life expectancy for both men and women.Note 4

The population pyramid opposite (Figure 2.1) shows the aging of Canada’s population in recent decades by comparing the age–sex structure of the Canadian population on July 1 of 2000 and 2020. On July 1, 2000, baby boomers were in their 30s to mid-50s, as can be seen in the bulge in the pyramid at these ages. On July 1, 2020, individuals in the baby boom generation were between 54 and 74 years of age, as illustrated by the upward shift in the largest bulge in the pyramid observed 20 years earlier. Therefore, the number of people aged 54 and over was proportionally higher in 2020 (33.3%) than in 2000 (22.9%). In contrast, the number of younger people particularly people in their mid-30s to late 40s, as well as individuals aged 0 to 19, has proportionally decreased.

Figure 2.1 Population pyramid estimates as of July 1, 1999 and 2019, Canada

Description for Figure 2.1 

This stacked column graph or population pyramid compares the age structure of the 2000 and the 2020 population at July 1st in relative value.

The left side shows males and the right side shows females.

The horizontal axis shows the population in relative value and the vertical axis shows age.

Figure 2.1 Population pyramid estimates as of July 1, 2000 and 2020, Canada
Table summary
This table displays the results of Figure 1. The information is grouped by Age (appearing as row headers), 2000, 2020, Males and Females, calculated using per thousand units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Age 2000 2020
Males Females Males Females
per thousand
0 5.7 5.4 5.0 4.8
1 5.7 5.5 5.0 4.8
2 5.9 5.6 5.2 4.9
3 6.1 5.8 5.3 5.0
4 6.5 6.2 5.4 5.1
5 6.6 6.3 5.4 5.2
6 6.6 6.3 5.5 5.2
7 6.8 6.4 5.5 5.3
8 6.9 6.6 5.5 5.3
9 7.1 6.7 5.5 5.3
10 7.1 6.8 5.6 5.4
11 6.8 6.5 5.7 5.4
12 6.7 6.4 5.6 5.4
13 6.8 6.5 5.5 5.3
14 7.0 6.6 5.4 5.2
15 7.0 6.6 5.3 5.1
16 7.0 6.6 5.4 5.2
17 7.0 6.6 5.5 5.3
18 7.0 6.6 5.7 5.5
19 7.1 6.7 6.3 5.9
20 7.1 6.7 6.7 6.2
21 6.9 6.6 6.7 6.2
22 6.8 6.5 6.8 6.2
23 6.8 6.6 6.9 6.2
24 6.8 6.5 7.1 6.5
25 6.8 6.6 7.2 6.6
26 6.6 6.4 7.1 6.6
27 6.7 6.5 7.1 6.7
28 6.9 6.7 7.2 6.8
29 7.2 7.1 7.3 7.0
30 7.3 7.1 7.3 7.1
31 7.2 7.1 7.1 6.9
32 7.2 7.1 7.0 6.8
33 7.4 7.3 7.0 6.8
34 7.9 7.8 7.1 6.9
35 8.5 8.4 7.1 7.0
36 8.9 8.7 7.0 6.9
37 9.0 8.8 6.9 6.9
38 8.8 8.7 6.8 6.9
39 8.9 8.9 6.8 6.8
40 8.8 8.8 6.7 6.8
41 8.6 8.6 6.5 6.6
42 8.5 8.5 6.4 6.5
43 8.3 8.4 6.3 6.5
44 8.1 8.1 6.3 6.4
45 8.1 8.1 6.3 6.4
46 7.8 7.9 6.1 6.3
47 7.4 7.5 6.1 6.2
48 7.2 7.3 6.2 6.3
49 7.1 7.1 6.4 6.5
50 6.9 7.0 6.4 6.5
51 6.8 6.9 6.3 6.4
52 6.8 6.8 6.3 6.4
53 6.9 6.9 6.3 6.4
54 5.8 5.8 6.7 6.7
55 5.4 5.5 7.1 7.1
56 5.3 5.4 7.3 7.3
57 5.2 5.2 7.3 7.4
58 4.7 4.8 7.1 7.2
59 4.5 4.7 7.1 7.2
60 4.3 4.4 7.0 7.1
61 4.1 4.3 6.8 7.0
62 4.0 4.1 6.7 6.9
63 3.8 4.0 6.5 6.7
64 3.8 4.0 6.2 6.5
65 3.7 3.9 6.1 6.4
66 3.6 3.8 5.8 6.1
67 3.6 3.9 5.5 5.8
68 3.6 3.9 5.2 5.6
69 3.5 3.9 5.1 5.4
70 3.3 3.8 4.9 5.3
71 3.1 3.6 4.7 5.1
72 3.0 3.6 4.6 5.0
73 2.8 3.4 4.5 4.9
74 2.7 3.4 3.8 4.2
75 2.5 3.3 3.5 3.8
76 2.3 3.2 3.3 3.7
77 2.2 3.1 3.0 3.4
78 2.0 3.0 2.7 3.2
79 1.8 2.8 2.5 3.0
80 1.6 2.6 2.3 2.7
81 1.3 2.1 2.1 2.5
82 1.1 1.9 1.9 2.4
83 1.0 1.8 1.7 2.2
84 0.9 1.7 1.6 2.1
85 0.8 1.6 1.4 1.9
86 0.7 1.4 1.2 1.7
87 0.6 1.2 1.1 1.6
88 0.4 1.0 1.0 1.5
89 0.3 0.9 0.8 1.4
90 0.3 0.7 0.7 1.2
91 0.2 0.6 0.5 1.0
92 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.9
93 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.7
94 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.6
95 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.5
96 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.4
97 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3
98 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2
99 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1
100 and older 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2

The gap widens between children and seniors

Since 2011, baby boomers have played a significant role in shifting the number of people aged 65 and older upward. In fact, people aged 65 and older outnumbered children aged 0 to 14 between July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016. During the last annual period, the gap between these two age groups continued to widen. On July 1, 2020, a record number of Canadians (6,835,866, or 18.0% of the population) was at least 65 years of age.

By comparison, there were 6,038,647 children aged 0 to 14 (15.9%) in Canada. This number is increasing, but since the number of seniors is growing faster than the number of children, the population share of children has decreased in recent years. By comparison, prior to 1987, there were two to three times more children aged 0 to 14 than people aged 65 and older. According to the medium growth (M1) scenario in the most recent population projections,Note 5 the proportion of people aged 65 and older should exceed 20% between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, and reach 25% in 2058/2059, while the proportion of children aged 0 to 14 should remain relatively stable at around 15% to 16% over the same period.

Chart 2.1 Population aged 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, 1999 to 2039, Canada

Data table for Chart 2.1 
Data table for chart 2.1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data table for chart 2.1. The information is grouped by Year ending June 30 (appearing as row headers), 0 to 14 years (population estimates), 0 to 14 years (population projections based on M1 scenario), 65 years and over (population estimates) and 65 years and over (population projections based on M1 scenario), calculated using number units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Year ending June 30 0 to 14 years (population estimates) 0 to 14 years (population projections based on M1 scenario) 65 years and over (population estimates) 65 years and over (population projections based on M1 scenario)
number
2000 5,883,491 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 3,851,253 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2001 5,851,142 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 3,921,849 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2002 5,826,792 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 3,989,384 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2003 5,792,083 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,060,711 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2004 5,751,912 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,136,349 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2005 5,697,557 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,213,993 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2006 5,648,161 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,318,906 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2007 5,621,320 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,421,379 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2008 5,616,339 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,541,116 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2009 5,620,154 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,669,325 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2010 5,622,173 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,804,015 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2011 5,628,821 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 4,955,235 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2012 5,660,294 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 5,154,937 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2013 5,704,052 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 5,352,983 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2014 5,752,008 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 5,542,326 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2015 5,793,833 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 5,722,237 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2016 5,865,824 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 5,920,968 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2017 5,912,118 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,135,028 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2018 5,966,263 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,355,561 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2019 6,006,483 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,595,070 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2020 6,038,647 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,835,866 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2021 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,118,900 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 7,081,700
2022 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,155,600 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 7,337,300
2023 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,181,400 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 7,599,500
2024 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,205,900 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 7,861,600
2025 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,230,700 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 8,129,500
2026 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,261,300 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 8,398,400
2027 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,289,600 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 8,657,400
2028 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,317,900 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 8,921,500
2029 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,347,400 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 9,175,300
2030 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,377,800 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 9,406,700
2031 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,409,000 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 9,600,000
2032 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,443,000 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 9,761,600
2033 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,476,100 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 9,911,500
2034 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,513,800 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 10,057,400
2035 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,552,600 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 10,200,900
2036 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,592,900 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 10,337,500
2037 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,635,300 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 10,451,300
2038 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,679,700 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 10,551,900
2039 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,726,600 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 10,647,200
2040 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 6,776,100 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 10,745,300

Chart 2.2 Proportion of the population aged 0 to 14 years, 15 to 64 years and 65 years and over, 1999 to 2039, Canada

Data table for Chart 2.2 
Data table for chart 2.2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data table for chart 2.2. The information is grouped by Year ending June 30 (appearing as row headers), 0 to 14 years (population estimates), 0 to 14 years (population projections based on M1 scenario), 15 to 64 years (population estimates), 15 to 64 years (population projections based on M1 scenario), 65 years and over (population estimates) and 65 years and over (population projections based on M1 scenario), calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Year ending June 30 0 to 14 years (population estimates) 0 to 14 years (population projections based on M1 scenario) 15 to 64 years (population estimates) 15 to 64 years (population projections based on M1 scenario) 65 years and over (population estimates) 65 years and over (population projections based on M1 scenario)
percent
2000 19.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 68.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 12.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2001 18.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 68.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 12.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2002 18.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 68.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 12.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2003 18.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 68.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 12.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2004 18.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 13.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2005 17.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 13.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2006 17.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 13.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2007 17.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 13.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2008 16.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 13.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2009 16.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 13.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2010 16.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2011 16.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 69.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2012 16.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 68.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2013 16.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 68.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2014 16.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 68.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2015 16.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 67.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 16.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2016 16.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 67.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 16.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2017 16.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 67.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 16.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2018 16.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 66.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 17.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2019 16.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 66.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 17.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2020 15.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 66.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 18.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2021 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 16.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 65.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 18.5
2022 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 65.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 19.0
2023 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 64.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 19.4
2024 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 64.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 19.9
2025 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 64.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 20.4
2026 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 63.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 20.8
2027 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 63.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 21.3
2028 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.4 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 62.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 21.7
2029 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 62.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 22.1
2030 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 62.3 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 22.5
2031 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.2 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 62.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 22.7
2032 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 62.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 22.9
2033 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.1 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.0
2034 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.8 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.2
2035 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 15.0 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.7 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.3
2036 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.4
2037 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.5
2038 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.6 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.5
2039 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.6
2040 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 14.9 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 61.5 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period 23.6

Moreover, during the last annual period, the growth rate of the 65-and-over group was 3.6%, more than triple the growth rate of the population as a whole (1.1%). Children aged 0 to 14 had a growth rate of 0.5% in the same annual period. Since the beginning of the period covered by the current demographic accounting system (1971), the population growth rate for children has always remained lower than that of seniors, thereby contributing to population aging.

Children still outnumber seniors in the Prairies and the territories

Population aging affects all regions of the country. However, this process is playing out at an unequal pace, and certain provinces are aging faster than others. Consequently, the proportion of people aged 65 and older and that of children aged 0 to 14 varies significantly from east to west and from north to south of the country.

In Canada’s eastern and central provinces and in British Columbia, the proportion of people 65 years and older was higher than the proportion of children 0 to 14 years on July 1, 2020. However, the Prairie provinces and the territories presented the opposite situation, with a higher proportion of children aged 0 to 14 than people 65 years and older. In 2009, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were the top two provinces where the proportion of people aged 65 and older exceeded that of children aged 0 to 14.

On July 1, 2020, Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest proportion of people aged 65 and older (22.3%). This proportion rose 7.2 percentage points in 10 years, the largest increase among the provinces and territories. Conversely, Alberta (13.8%) had the lowest proportion of people aged 65 years and older among the provinces. As for the proportion of children aged 0 to 14 among the provinces, the highest was observed in Saskatchewan (19.6%) and the lowest in Newfoundland and Labrador (13.4%). These gaps are due to differences in the fertility rate between these two provinces.

The age structure of the population of the territories differs from that of the provinces. Higher fertilityNote 6 and mortalityNote 7Note 8 explain why the population share of children is especially larger than that of seniors. Nunavut stood out in particular, with children aged 0 to 14 making up 31.7% (close to one in three people) of the population and a low proportion of people aged 65 and older (4.0% - less than one in every 20 people).

Two in five baby boomers are 65 and older

Like the rest of the population, the baby-boom cohorts are aging. Moreover, 40.6% of baby boomers were 65 and older in 2020, compared with 35.7% in 2019. In 2031, the last of the baby boomers will have turned 65.

The demographic composition of the 65-and-older age group is changing rapidly. Before 2011, there were no members of the baby boom generation in this group. Since 2011, as the first baby boomers started turning 65, growth of this group has clearly accelerated. Consequently, on July 1, 2020, baby boomers made up 55.6% of seniors. However, their population share is decreasing, falling below the 25% mark (24.6%) in the last year. Given their advancing age, they become more and more at risk of dying.

Canada has just over one child or senior for every two working-age people

The demographic dependency ratio represents the number of children (0 to 14 years) and seniors (65 years and older) per 100 working-age people (15 to 64 years). On July 1, 2020, the ratio was 51.2. This indicator has been rising steadily since reaching a record low in 2007 and 2008 (44.0 each). It will continue to rise beyond 2031, when the youngest baby boomers will turn 65. Indeed, according to the medium growth (M1) scenario in the most recent population projections, the demographic dependency ratio should be 61.0 in 2031 and 67.8 in 2068.

Chart 2.3 Demographic dependency ratio, 1971 to 2019, Canada

Data table for Chart 2.3 
Data table for chart 2.3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data table for chart 2.3. The information is grouped by Year ending June 30 (appearing as row headers), Persons aged 0 to 14 years and Persons aged 65 years and older, calculated using per 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Year ending June 30 Persons aged 0 to 14 years Persons aged 65 years and older
per 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years
1971 46.7 12.8
1972 45.0 12.8
1973 43.3 12.9
1974 41.6 12.9
1975 40.1 12.9
1976 38.5 13.1
1977 37.2 13.2
1978 35.8 13.4
1979 34.6 13.7
1980 33.5 13.9
1981 32.7 14.1
1982 32.2 14.2
1983 31.8 14.4
1984 31.5 14.6
1985 31.1 15.0
1986 30.7 15.3
1987 30.6 15.7
1988 30.5 16.0
1989 30.4 16.3
1990 30.4 16.6
1991 30.5 16.9
1992 30.6 17.1
1993 30.6 17.4
1994 30.4 17.5
1995 30.1 17.7
1996 29.9 17.9
1997 29.5 18.0
1998 29.1 18.2
1999 28.6 18.3
2000 28.1 18.4
2001 27.5 18.5
2002 27.0 18.5
2003 26.6 18.6
2004 26.1 18.8
2005 25.5 18.9
2006 25.0 19.1
2007 24.6 19.4
2008 24.3 19.7
2009 24.1 20.0
2010 23.8 20.4
2011 23.7 20.9
2012 23.7 21.6
2013 23.7 22.3
2014 23.8 23.0
2015 24.0 23.7
2016 24.1 24.3
2017 24.1 25.0
2018 24.1 25.7
2019 24.0 26.4
2020 24.0 27.2

Given their numbers, baby boomers have always had a tangible impact on the demographic dependency ratio. In 1971, the beginning of the period covered by the current demographic accounting system, a good number of baby boomers were still children. At that time, the demographic dependency ratio was 59.5. However, as the baby boomers reached adulthood, that ratio gradually dropped and remained low from 1980 to 2011, while all members of this generation were of working age. The recent increase in the demographic dependency ratio is explained by the baby boomers turning 65.

The number of people aged 55 to 64 per 100 youth aged 15 to 24 is increasing

People aged 55 to 64 are often on the cusp of, or in retirement. In contrast, generally speaking, individuals aged 15 to 24 have recently, or are about to enter the labour market for the first time. On July 1, 2020, there were 116 people potentially leaving the labour market for every 100 potential entrants. These persons aged 55 to 64 years consist of the youngest baby boomers. By comparison, in 1984, Canada had two people aged 15 to 24 per person aged 55 to 64. Subsequent years were marked by a steady decrease in this ratio, such that starting in 2013, the number of people potentially leaving outnumbered the number of those potentially entering the labour market.

The demographic dependency ratio varies from one province and territory to another

In 2020, the Atlantic provinces and Quebec had a higher demographic dependency ratio than Canada (51.2) as a result of an increasing number of people aged 65 and older. Moreover, the demographic dependency ratio was also higher than that of the country in Manitoba (53.9) and in Saskatchewan (55.7). This situation was mainly due to the slightly higher proportion of children aged 0 to 14 in these provinces. Lastly, Nunavut (55.4) stood out from the other jurisdictions with the highest ratio of children and the lowest ratio of seniors.

Chart 2.4 Demogoraphic dependency ratio, 2019, Canada, provinces and territories

Data table for Chart 2.4 
Data table for chart 2.4
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data table for chart 2.4. The information is grouped by Provinces and territories (appearing as row headers), 0 to 14 years and 65 years and older, calculated using per 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Provinces and territories 0 to 14 years 65 years and older
per 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years
Canada 24.0 27.2
N.L. 20.8 34.6
P.E.I. 23.6 30.9
N.S. 21.6 33.0
N.B. 22.5 34.4
Que. 24.5 30.6
Ont. 23.1 26.3
Man. 29.2 24.7
Sask. 30.5 25.2
Alta. 27.6 20.5
B.C. 20.9 28.7
Y.T. 24.5 19.2
N.W.T. 28.2 12.4
Nvt. 49.2 6.2
Table 2.1
Population estimatesTable 2.1 Note 1, age distribution, median age and average age as of July 1, 2020, Canada, provinces and territories
Table summary
This table displays the results of Population estimates Population, 0 to 14 years, 15 to 64 years, 65 years and over, Median age and Average age, calculated using number, % and years units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Population 0 to 14 years 15 to 64 years 65 years and over Median age Average age
number % years
Canada 38,005,238 15.9 66.1 18.0 40.9 41.4
Newfoundland and Labrador 522,103 13.4 64.3 22.3 47.4 44.8
Prince Edward Island 159,625 15.3 64.7 20.0 42.9 42.4
Nova Scotia 979,351 14.0 64.7 21.3 45.0 43.8
New Brunswick 781,476 14.3 63.7 21.9 46.1 44.3
Quebec 8,574,571 15.8 64.5 19.7 42.7 42.6
Ontario 14,734,014 15.5 66.9 17.6 40.4 41.2
Manitoba 1,379,263 18.9 65.0 16.1 37.6 39.1
Saskatchewan 1,178,681 19.6 64.2 16.2 37.8 39.2
Alberta 4,421,876 18.6 67.6 13.8 37.5 38.5
British Columbia 5,147,712 14.0 66.9 19.2 42.2 42.6
Yukon 42,052 17.0 69.6 13.3 39.4 39.6
Northwest Territories 45,161 20.0 71.1 8.8 35.5 36.1
Nunavut 39,353 31.7 64.3 4.0 26.2 28.5

The number of centenarians is growing rapidly

On July 1, 2020, preliminary estimates indicate that there were 11,517 centenarians in Canada. The number of centenarians in Canada is constantly growing mainly as a result of higher life expectancy.

Since 2001,Note 9 the number of centenarians has more than tripled. In the latest annual period, the growth rate of centenarians was 10.4%, or nearly 10 times the growth rate for the entire population (1.1%). Population growth of centenarians was greater than that of each five-year population age group.

In relative numbers, there were 30 centenarians per 100,000 population in Canada. In 2001, the proportion was 11 centenarians per 100,000 population. Because women have a higher life expectancy than men, the vast majority of centenarians were women (81.3%).

Population aging among women higher

The main population aging indicators are all higher for females. On July 1, 2020, the proportion of women 65 and older (19.3%) was higher than the corresponding proportion of men (16.7%), though the gap has been narrowing since 1998. The average age was also higher for women (42.3 years) than for men (40.6 years). Furthermore, the centenarian group was comprised mostly of women (81.3%). These differences are mainly due to the fact that women, at all ages, have lower mortality levels than men. These mortality levels create a persistent yet narrowing gap in life expectancy in favour of females. The most recent data (2016 to 2018) show that the life expectancy at birth of females was 84.1 years, compared with 79.9 years for males, with females living an average of 4.2 years longer than males. Twenty years earlier, this gap was 5.6 years.Note 10

The average age of the Canadian population continues to increase

In 2020, the average ageNote 11 of Canadians was 41.4 years. The average age has increased by 4.1 years since 2000, when it was 37.3 years.

Average age varies considerably from province to province. On July 1, 2020, there was a difference of 6.3 years between the province with the highest average age (44.8 years in Newfoundland and Labrador) and the province with the lowest average age (38.5 years in Alberta). Taking the territories into consideration, Nunavut had the lowest average age, with 28.5 years.

In 2000, the differences between the provinces were much smaller, with a gap of 3.2 years. The highest average age was in Nova Scotia (38.3 years) and the lowest in Alberta (35.1 years).

The situation in Newfoundland and Labrador indicates an especially rapid aging of its population. In just a little over 15 years, the average age in the province went from the lowest (32.5 in 1989) to the highest (40.4 years in 2006 and tied with Nova Scotia) in the country. During most of the period, Newfoundland and Labrador saw negative population growth. The main contributing factor is the departure of many young adults to other provinces and territories. Consequently, the province registered fewer births.

Conversely, the Prairie provinces topped the list of the youngest provinces on July 1, 2020, with an average age of 38.5 years in Alberta, 39.1 years in Manitoba and 39.2 years in Saskatchewan. This is mainly due to a higher proportion of Indigenous populations (Manitoba, Saskatchewan),Note 12 who are generally  younger and with higher fertility rates, as well as a greater migratory inflow of young adults and families from other provinces and countries (Alberta).

Chart 2.5 Median age ranking on July 1, 1979 to 2019 (quinquennial years), Canadian provinces

Data table for Chart 2.5 
Chart 2.5
Table summary
This table displays the results of Chart 2.5 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 (appearing as column headers).
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
N.L.
Average Age 29.2 30.9 32.9 35.0 37.7 39.9 41.5 43.1 44.8
Rank 1 1 2 2 6 9 10 9 10
P.E.I.
Average Age 33.0 34.1 35.1 36.1 37.6 39.3 40.9 42.3 42.4
Rank 6 6 5 6 5 5 7 7 5
N.S.
Average Age 33.0 34.2 35.4 36.7 38.3 40.0 41.5 43.1 43.8
Rank 6 7 8 10 10 10 10 9 8
N.B.
Average Age 31.9 33.4 34.9 36.4 38.1 39.9 41.5 43.2 44.3
Rank 3 3 3 7 9 9 10 10 9
Que.
Average Age 32.6 34.1 35.5 36.6 38.1 39.5 40.7 41.7 42.6
Rank 4 6 9 8 9 7 6 5 7
Ont.
Average Age 33.5 34.6 35.3 36.1 37.1 38.2 39.4 40.6 41.2
Rank 8 9 7 6 4 3 4 4 4
Man.
Average Age 33.7 34.5 35.3 36.0 37.0 37.9 38.5 38.8 39.1
Rank 9 8 7 4 2 2 2 3 2
Sask.
Average Age 33.4 33.8 35.0 36.0 37.1 38.3 38.7 38.8 39.2
Rank 7 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3
Alta.
Average Age 30.5 31.5 32.7 33.9 35.1 36.3 36.9 37.4 38.5
Rank 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
B.C.
Average Age 33.9 35.1 36.1 36.7 37.9 39.5 40.6 41.8 42.6
Rank 10 10 10 10 7 7 5 6 7

Men slightly outnumbered by women

On July 1, 2020, the sex ratio for the entire Canadian population was estimated at 98.8 males per 100 females. This ratio has been rising very slowly since 2000 (98.1). Males outnumber females up to the mid-30s, mainly because of the sex ratio at birth, which averages 105 males per 100 females. When people reach their early 60s, the number of men starts to fall significantly below the number of women because of excess mortality among males. This gap widens at more advanced ages: in the 65-to-79 age group, there were an estimated 91.7 males per 100 females on July 1, 2020. However, the gap between the sexes seems to be narrowing over time. Thirty years ago, the sex ratio for people aged 65 to 79 was 78.1 males per 100 females. Among the 80-and-over population, there were an estimated 67.9 men per 100 women on July 1, 2020, compared with a sex ratio of 52.1 on July 1, 1990. On July 1, 2020, centenarians were predominantly female, with a ratio of 23.0 males per 100 females.

Chart 2.6 Sex ratio by age group, 1999 and 2019, Canada

Data table for Chart 2.6 
Data table for chart 2.6
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data table for chart 2.6. The information is grouped by Age group (appearing as row headers), 2000 and 2020, calculated using number of males for 100 females units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Age group 2000 2020
number of males for 100 females
Total 98.1 98.8
0 to 14 years 105.0 104.6
15 to 39 years 103.2 104.7
40 to 64 years 98.8 98.2
65 to 79 years 83.5 91.7
80 years and older 51.3 67.9

The sex ratio is lower in the Atlantic provinces and higher in the Prairie provinces

There are some regional differences in the sex structure of the population in Canada. On July 1, 2020, the province with the lowest sex ratio in the country was Nova Scotia, with 95.9 males per 100 females, and the highest sex ratio was in Saskatchewan (101.5 males per 100 females). The sex ratios in the Atlantic provinces were below the national average (98.8 males per 100 females), while in the Prairie provinces and in Quebec, they were all higher. Among other factors, this situation can be attributed to differences in the aging of Canada’s regions: a younger population is usually a slightly more masculine population, and an older population is usually a more feminine population.

In 2020, males outnumbered females in all the territories because they are home to younger populations than elsewhere in Canada. The main differences between the sex structure in the territories and in Canada as a whole are at higher ages. At age 65 and older, Yukon and the Northwest Territories had 110.5 and 110.9 males per 100 females, respectively, compared with 85.3 males per 100 females nationally. In Nunavut, it was even higher, with 131.0 males per 100 females.

Chart 2.7 Sex ratio by age group, 2019, Canada, provinces and territories

Data table for Chart 2.7 
Data table for chart 2.7
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data table for chart 2.7. The information is grouped by Provinces and territories (appearing as row headers), Total, 0 to 14 years, 15 to 64 years, 65 years and older, Total (Canada), 0 to 14 years (Canada), 15 to 64 years (Canada) and 65 years and older (Canada), calculated using number of males for 100 females units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Provinces and territories Total 0 to 14 years 15 to 64 years 65 years and older Total (Canada) 0 to 14 years (Canada) 15 to 64 years (Canada) 65 years and older (Canada)
number of males for 100 females
N.L. 97.7 106.5 98.6 90.2 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
P.E.I. 96.8 104.2 99.1 84.8 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
N.S. 95.9 105.6 97.8 84.7 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
N.B. 98.0 104.4 100.9 86.4 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Que. 100.0 104.4 103.5 86.3 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Ont. 97.7 104.4 100.4 83.0 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Man. 99.7 104.1 102.3 85.2 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Sask. 101.5 103.5 105.0 86.7 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Alta. 101.1 104.4 103.3 87.5 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
B.C. 97.8 105.7 99.4 87.6 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Y.T. 103.5 110.6 100.5 110.5 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
N.W.T. 105.9 103.4 106.1 110.9 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Nvt. 104.8 104.9 103.4 131.0 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3

Mobile individuals are much younger than the entire population

The population pyramid opposite highlights the differences in the age–sex structure of interprovincial migrants, new immigrants, non-permanent residents and the total population.Note 13 On July 1, 2020, the proportion of the working-age population (aged 15 to 64) was considerably higher among immigrants (79.5%), interprovincial migrants (77.3%) and non-permanent residents (95.1%) than among the total population (66.1%). These subgroups also had a high concentration of young adults. A majority of non-permanent residents (60.6%) were between 18 and 29 years of age. Immigrants were slightly older compared to the latter, and less concentrated in some age groups, since 66.4% were in the 20-to-44 group. Lastly, 54.9% of interprovincial migrants were aged 20 to 44. Similarly, the average age of interprovincial migrants (33.8 years), non-permanent residents (28.1 years) and immigrants (30.5 years) was lower than the average age of the Canadian population (41.4 years) on July 1, 2020.

Figure 2.2 Population pyramid of total population, interprovincial migrants, immigrants and non-permanent residents, 2019, Canada

Description for Figure 2.2 

This stacked column graph or population pyramid compares the age structure of total population and of non-permanent residents as of July 1st, 2020, as well as of interprovincial migrants and immigrants who migrated between July 1st, 2019 and June 30th, 2020, in relative value.

The left side shows males and the right side shows females.

The horizontal axis shows the population in relative value and the vertical axis shows age.

Figure 2.2 Population pyramid of total population, interprovincial migrants, immigrants and non-permanent residents, 2020, Canada
Table summary
This table displays the results of Figure 2. The information is grouped by Age (appearing as row headers), Interprovincial migrants, Non-permanent residents, Immigrants, Total population, Males and Females, calculated using per thousand units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Age Interprovincial migrants Non-permanent residents Immigrants Total population
Males Females Males Females Males Females Males Females
per thousand
0 3.8 3.3 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.6 5.0 4.8
1 7.8 6.6 0.3 0.3 5.2 5.0 5.0 4.8
2 7.5 6.6 0.6 0.6 5.9 6.0 5.2 4.9
3 7.2 6.5 0.9 0.9 7.2 6.9 5.3 5.0
4 6.8 6.3 1.1 1.0 7.3 6.8 5.4 5.1
5 6.4 6.0 1.4 1.3 7.4 7.2 5.4 5.2
6 5.9 5.7 1.7 1.6 6.9 6.9 5.5 5.2
7 5.5 5.4 1.9 1.8 7.1 6.5 5.5 5.3
8 5.1 5.0 2.0 1.9 6.8 6.4 5.5 5.3
9 4.6 4.6 2.1 1.9 6.6 5.9 5.5 5.3
10 4.3 4.2 2.1 1.9 5.9 5.8 5.6 5.4
11 4.0 3.9 2.2 1.9 6.0 5.0 5.7 5.4
12 3.7 3.7 2.1 1.9 5.4 5.1 5.6 5.4
13 3.6 3.6 2.1 2.0 4.9 4.7 5.5 5.3
14 3.6 3.6 2.4 2.1 4.6 4.3 5.4 5.2
15 3.8 3.9 3.4 3.2 4.5 4.1 5.3 5.1
16 4.0 4.2 4.8 4.7 4.1 3.9 5.4 5.2
17 4.3 4.5 7.1 6.9 3.9 3.8 5.5 5.3
18 4.9 5.2 13.4 12.7 3.8 3.4 5.7 5.5
19 5.8 6.1 27.0 24.0 3.9 3.8 6.3 5.9
20 7.2 7.4 33.6 28.1 3.6 3.9 6.7 6.2
21 8.6 8.7 34.4 27.7 3.7 4.5 6.7 6.2
22 9.8 9.9 34.9 26.5 5.2 6.0 6.8 6.2
23 11.2 11.2 35.2 26.0 7.9 8.1 6.9 6.2
24 12.9 12.7 34.3 26.0 9.1 10.6 7.1 6.5
25 14.5 14.3 32.7 24.8 11.2 14.7 7.2 6.6
26 16.3 16.0 28.4 21.9 15.4 19.4 7.1 6.6
27 17.9 17.5 24.9 19.3 20.2 23.8 7.1 6.7
28 18.7 18.1 21.1 16.5 22.3 25.3 7.2 6.8
29 18.0 17.3 18.2 14.2 23.0 25.4 7.3 7.0
30 16.4 15.6 16.3 12.5 24.1 25.3 7.3 7.1
31 14.9 14.0 14.6 11.0 22.4 23.1 7.1 6.9
32 13.2 12.2 13.0 9.7 20.7 20.7 7.0 6.8
33 11.7 10.7 12.0 8.7 19.3 19.2 7.0 6.8
34 10.8 9.9 11.2 8.1 18.1 17.0 7.1 6.9
35 10.3 9.4 10.4 7.5 16.6 15.0 7.1 7.0
36 9.6 8.8 9.8 6.9 14.8 13.3 7.0 6.9
37 8.9 8.2 9.5 6.5 13.4 11.9 6.9 6.9
38 8.3 7.7 8.5 5.9 11.7 10.5 6.8 6.9
39 7.8 7.2 7.9 5.6 9.9 8.6 6.8 6.8
40 7.5 6.8 7.5 5.1 8.8 7.9 6.7 6.8
41 7.2 6.4 6.8 4.4 7.9 6.6 6.5 6.6
42 6.9 6.1 6.2 4.0 6.5 6.0 6.4 6.5
43 6.6 5.8 5.9 3.8 6.1 5.4 6.3 6.5
44 6.3 5.4 5.3 3.4 5.4 4.5 6.3 6.4
45 5.9 5.0 5.0 3.1 4.8 4.4 6.3 6.4
46 5.6 4.7 4.5 2.8 4.4 3.8 6.1 6.3
47 5.3 4.3 4.2 2.5 4.1 3.6 6.1 6.2
48 5.1 4.1 3.8 2.2 3.6 3.2 6.2 6.3
49 5.0 4.1 3.5 1.9 3.0 2.7 6.4 6.5
50 4.9 4.3 3.1 1.6 2.9 2.5 6.4 6.5
51 4.8 4.5 2.7 1.4 2.4 2.3 6.3 6.4
52 4.7 4.7 2.4 1.1 2.2 1.9 6.3 6.4
53 4.7 4.8 2.0 1.0 1.7 1.8 6.3 6.4
54 4.6 4.8 2.0 0.9 1.8 1.6 6.7 6.7
55 4.6 4.6 1.7 0.8 1.6 1.7 7.1 7.1
56 4.6 4.5 1.5 0.7 1.5 1.8 7.3 7.3
57 4.5 4.4 1.4 0.6 1.6 2.0 7.3 7.4
58 4.4 4.3 1.2 0.5 1.4 1.8 7.1 7.2
59 4.3 4.2 1.1 0.5 1.5 1.9 7.1 7.2
60 4.1 4.0 0.9 0.4 1.4 2.0 7.0 7.1
61 3.9 3.9 0.8 0.4 1.4 1.8 6.8 7.0
62 3.7 3.7 0.7 0.3 1.5 1.9 6.7 6.9
63 3.5 3.5 0.6 0.4 1.3 1.9 6.5 6.7
64 3.4 3.5 0.5 0.3 1.5 2.0 6.2 6.5
65 3.3 3.5 0.5 0.3 1.6 2.0 6.1 6.4
66 3.1 3.6 0.4 0.2 1.5 1.8 5.8 6.1
67 3.0 3.6 0.3 0.2 1.4 1.7 5.5 5.8
68 2.9 3.6 0.3 0.2 1.2 1.6 5.2 5.6
69 2.6 3.2 0.2 0.1 1.1 1.3 5.1 5.4
70 2.3 2.7 0.2 0.1 1.1 1.4 4.9 5.3
71 2.0 2.3 0.2 0.1 1.0 1.2 4.7 5.1
72 1.7 1.8 0.1 0.1 0.9 1.2 4.6 5.0
73 1.4 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.9 4.5 4.9
74 1.3 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.8 3.8 4.2
75 1.2 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.7 3.5 3.8
76 1.1 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.7 3.3 3.7
77 1.0 1.2 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.5 3.0 3.4
78 0.9 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.5 2.7 3.2
79 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 2.5 3.0
80 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.4 2.3 2.7
81 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 2.1 2.5
82 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 1.9 2.4
83 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.7 2.2
84 0.4 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.6 2.1
85 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 1.4 1.9
86 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.2 1.7
87 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.1 1.6
88 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 1.0 1.5
89 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 1.4
90 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.2
91 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.0
92 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.9
93 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.7
94 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.6
95 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.5
96 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.4
97 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3
98 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2
99 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
100 and older 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2

Immigrants stood out for having a population share of children aged 0 to 14 (17.1%) slightly higher than the total Canadian population (15.9%). By comparison, in 2020, 4.4% of non-permanent residents were in the 0-to-14 age group. The distinct age structure of non-permanent residents is mostly due to the fact that these people come to Canada mainly for the purpose of work or study, which mostly involves young adults who have no children (or who come to study or work without their young families).

Males outnumber females among non-permanent residents and interprovincial migrants

The sex structure also differs between each of the three subgroups. The number of males per 100 females was close to parity among immigrants (98.4 males per 100 females), comparable to the Canadian population (98.8 males per 100 females). However, males were overrepresented among non-permanent residents (131.3 males per 100 females) and, to a lesser degree, among interprovincial migrants (103.4 males per 100 females).

Chart 2.8 Sex ratio by age of the population, interprovincial migrants, immigrants and non-permanent residents, 2019, Canada

Data table for Chart 2.8 
Data table for chart 2.8
Table summary
This table displays the results of Data table for chart 2.8 Total, 0 to 14 years, 15 to 64 years and 65 years and older, calculated using number of males for 100 females units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Total 0 to 14 years 15 to 64 years 65 years and older
number of males for 100 females
Population 98.8 104.6 101.4 85.3
Interprovincial migrants 103.4 106.2 105.0 82.3
Immigrants 98.4 105.5 97.7 81.4
Non-permanent residents 131.3 108.0 132.5 129.1
 
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