Population aging in Canada

Résumé du document

Like most of the other industrialized countries, Canada is currently facing the issue of population aging. Aging can be defined as the biological process of growing old. Yet, being a 'senior' is a social definition that will refer in this essay to being 65 years old or more. According to a publication of 'Health Canada', 'At the start of this new century, Canada faces significant aging of its population as the proportion of seniors increases more rapidly than all other age groups. In 2001, one Canadian in eight was aged 65 years or over. By 2026, one Canadian in five will have reached age 65.' What are the causes of population aging in Canada? What are the characteristics of the aging population? What are the impacts of population aging? What challenges is the aging Canadian society facing and how is this issue being addressed? This essay is intended to answer these questions by providing an overview of population aging in Canada. First, the main causes of population aging will be explained. Second, the essay will focus on the characteristics of the Canadian aging population. Third, the impacts of population aging and the challenges raised by this issue will be discussed.

Extraits

[...] Immigration is a key factor in the issue of population aging. Nevertheless, increased immigration will not significantly affect the aging trend given that most immigrants are around thirty years of age. Yet, the most important solution is to increase productivity among the smaller labor pool. To maintain economic growth, Canadian companies will have to invest in labor-saving strategies, technology, machinery, equipment To conclude this essay, population aging is a very important issue in Canada and one of the biggest challenges the country will have to take up in the following years. [...]

[...] Population projections for and 2026, July 1. [online]. [Cited February 11, 2002]. Access: http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/People/Population/demo23b.htm Second, women tend to live longer than men and form the majority of seniors population in Canada in 2001)[4]. Their proportion also increases with age. The chart below shows the percentage of senior Canadians by sex between 1951 and 2011. Chart 4 : Per cent of Canadians 65+ by sex, 1951-2011 Source : Statistics Canada Third, there are variations in the aging of the population among provinces and territories across Canada. [...]

[...] This essay is intended to answer these questions by providing an overview of population aging in Canada. First, the main causes of population aging will be explained. Second, the essay will focus on the characteristics of the Canadian aging population. Third, the impacts of population aging and the challenges raised by this issue will be discussed. Seniors are the fastest growing population group in Canada. In 2001, it was estimated that 3.92 million Canadians were 65 years old or more, this figure being two thirds more than in 19811. [...]

[...] no. 89- 519-XPE. Ottawa: Statistics Canada Statistics Canada. Population by age groups. [online]. Revised February [Cited February 11, 2002]. Access: Statistics Canada. Population projections for and 2026, July 1. [online]. [Cited February 11, 2002]. Access: http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/People/Population/demo23b.htm Lindsay, Colin. Statistical snapshots of Canada's seniors: no. many seniors in all provinces [online]. Updated September [Cited February 12, 2002]. Access: Statistics Canada. [...]

[...] In a nutshell, Canada needs to address the challenge of an aging population in a collaborative and comprehensive way to benefit to all present and future Canadians. References Health Canada, Canada's Aging Population, Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada Goodrich, Joanne, “Aging and the Canadian population”, About Canada. Sackville: Mount Allison University Chappell, Neena, McDonald, Lynn and Stones, Michael. Aging in contemporary Canada. Toronto : Pearson Prentice Hall Desjardins, Bertrand and Dumas, Jean. Current demographic analysis: population aging and the elderly. Cat. no. [...]