Canada's Changing Labour Force, 2006 Census: The provinces and territories

The aging workforce

Baby boomers edging closer to retirement

Census data showed that the aging of Canada's labour force continued between 2001 and 2006. In 2006, workers aged 55 and older accounted for 15.3% of the total labour force, up from 11.7% five years earlier.

This was the result of the baby boom generation approaching retirement age, and the increased tendency for older workers to participate in the labour force.

As a result, the median age of the labour force surpassed the 40-year mark for the first time; it rose from 39.5 years in 2001 to 41.2 years in 2006. The median is the point where half are above and half below.

According to the census, just over 2 million individuals aged 55 to 64 were employed in 2006, 43.0% more than in 2001. At the same time, the overall labour force participation rate for this group increased from 54.0% to 59.7%.

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