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Slightly more than two million people between the ages of 55 and 64 were employed in 2006—a 43% increase over 2001 figures
Ottawa (5 March 2008) – The median age of the Canadian workforce has surpassed the 40-year mark for the first time in 2006, according to census data from Statistics Canada.
Its report—Canada’s Changing Labour Force, 2006 Census—finds that the median age of the workforce rose to 41.2 years in 2006, up from 39.5 years in 2001. The median is the point where half are above and half below.
Workers aged 55 and older accounted for 15.3% of the total labour force, up from 11.7% five years earlier.
The cause of the aging workforce is the combined result of declining fertility rates, the baby boom generation approaching retirement age, and the increased tendency for older workers to participate in the labour force,” the report concludes.
According to the census, slightly more than two million people between the ages of 55 and 64 were employed in 2006—a 43% increase over 2001 figures. The overall workforce participation rate for this group increased to 59.7% from 54%.
Occupations with the oldest workers were farmers, real estate agents and bus drivers
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