The Number of Seniors is Increasing, as is their Percentage in the General Population
The Alberta population is aging. The number of Albertans over the age of 65 has nearly tripled since 1972, from 123,623 to 361,930 in 2007 (see Chart 1). Over the same time frame, Alberta's total population doubled and the median age of Albertans increased from 25.2 years in 1972 to 35.4 years in 2007.
The primary causes of population aging are the aging of the baby boom generation, decreasing fertility rates, and increasing life expectancy.
In 2007, seniors accounted for approximately 10.4% of Alberta's total population, or about one in ten people. The comparable figure for the Canadian population was 13.4%. Among all provinces, Alberta has the lowest percentage of seniors.
Chart 1
Number of Seniors Increased Steadily in Last Thirty-five Years
Source: Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Statistics 2007
