Canada's median age hits record high: StatsCan

Canada's population keeps getting older, with a record median age of 38.8 years in July, putting itin line with almost every other developed nation in the world.

The population estimates released Thursday by Statistics Canada based on adjustments to the 2001 census also found an age divide between east and west.

A year ago, the population's median age was 38.5. In 2001 it was 37.2, withthe rise stemming largely from relatively older populations in Atlantic Canada and Quebec compared with a younger population in Ontario, three of four western provinces and the territories.

Statistics Canada said British Columbia was the exception to the pattern because its population was relatively older as a result of having one of the country's lowest fertility rates since the mid-1960s.

The agency predicts the median age of the population in 2056 will be 46.9 years.

This year, the oldest of the baby boomers — the generation born between 1946 and 1965 — started turning 60. By the end of the year, more than400,000Canadian boomers will have celebrated their60th birthday— almost 1,100 a day.

Canada's median age is the third lowest among G-8 nations, behind the United States and Russia.

Migration a factor

With a few exceptions, the older populations in Canada are found east of Ontario, while the population west of Quebec and in the territories is younger.

While differences are mainly generated by different fertility levels, migration also plays a role, the agency says.

In the Atlantic region, outmigration of young adults is accelerating an aging process already fuelled bypersistently lower fertility. As of July, all four Atlantic provinces had a population older than the national median.

The oldest province was Newfoundland and Labrador with a median age of 41.3 years.

Quebec, with a median age of40.4years, is the only province outsidethe Atlantic region to post a median age higher than40. This was mainly a result of its fertility rate, which had been steadily lower than the rest of the country in the first25years after the baby boom. However, a recent increase in fertility, if maintained, could slow the province's aging process, Statistics Canada said.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan have relatively young populations. A strong aboriginal presence has helped both provinces maintain higher fertility rates,offsetting the significant numberof young people who have left the provinces.

Alberta youngest among provinces

Alberta had the youngest population amongst the provinces, with a median age of35.5years as a result of a persistently higher fertility rate and the steady influx of young Canadians from other parts of the country.

Between2001and2006, Alberta's median agewent up byonly 0.8years, the smallest increase among the provinces.

The lowest median ages in the country were in Nunavut (23.2years) and the Northwest Territories (30.9years) caused by their fertility rates, which are Canada's highest.

The Yukon, with a median age of38.0years, just below the national level, was an exception in the North; it has fertility rates lower than the two other territories.

Immigration won't stop statistical aging

Even a substantial increase in the number of immigrants could not stop the statistical aging of Canada's population, the agency said.

If Canada were to admit four times as many immigrants per year, the population's median age would still increase. Assuming an average influx of about one million immigrants a year for the next 50 years, the median age would rise from the current 38.8to 44.1 years in 2056, compared with the 46.9 years currently projected assuming normal population growth.

The median age is the point at which half the population is older and the other half is younger. It's different from the mathematical average, or mean age.