Page 43 - IJPS-9-3

International Journal of
Population Studies The right to lifelong learning

Table 2. Number of Canadians 90 years and over by single Table 3. Percentage of population aged 65 and over in
age, Census 2021 Canadian provinces and territories, 2021
Age Total Men Women Canadian provinces and Percentage of population
90 73,790 27,050 46,740 territories aged 65 and over
91 60,655 21,065 39,585 Newfoundland and Labrador 23.1
92 49,550 16,215 33,335 Prince Edward Island 20.2
93 41,235 12,880 28,355 Nova Scotia 21.8
94 32,805 10,095 22,715 New Brunswick 22.5
95 25,445 7,245 18,200 Quebec 18.0
96 16,320 4,250 12,070 Ontario 18.8
97 12,125 2,940 9,185 Manitoba 16.5
98 8,555 1,960 6,590 Saskatchewan 16.7
99 5,940 1,280 4,660 Alberta 14.4
100 years and over 9,540 1,825 7,705 British Columbia 19.7
Yukon 13.8
Source: Statistics Canada (2022d): Canadian Census 2021.
Northwest Territories 9.3
Statistics Canada, 2022b). However, Canadians are likely to Nunavut 4.1
live for two decades after age 65, and they need knowledge Source: Statistics Canada (2021c).
about the world in which they live. The age distribution
is important because, though some characteristics and gender data in Table 1. Still, opportunities must meet the
conditions increase with age, individual needs may not specific needs of widows or women living alone.
be strictly associated with age, and learning opportunities
must be matched with need rather than age. 2.3.1.3. Geographic distribution
By 2030, one in four Canadians will be 65 years and The spatial distribution shows the number of older people
over, and those in this age group will have aged during this in each province. Except for the three northern Territories
time period. A measure of the growth rate of the population (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut), every
aged 65 – 100 years and over is essential so that provision province had more than 10% of their population aged 65
of appropriate learning opportunities keeps pace with the and over in 2021. In the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia,
increase in age cohorts. The population aged 85 and older New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland
is one of the fastest-growing age groups, increasing by 12% and Labrador), a fifth of the population was aged 65 and
from 2016 to 2021. Furthermore, it is projected to grow over (Table 3). The lack of learning opportunities for this
at an even faster pace, growing at a rate of 15.9% between group would cause not only inequitable access between
2021 and 2026, 24.7% between 2026 and 2031, and 32.7% generations but also affect the economic and social
between 2031 and 2036 (Statistics Canada, 2022). Learning outcomes of the whole population.
infrastructure will have to first meet current needs and
then grow at the same graduated pace with a focus on 2.3.1.4. Selected health conditions experienced by Canadians
opportunities for those aged over 85 who are growing the 65–100 years and over
fastest. The aging process can have varying impacts on Canadians
Since women tend to outlive men, many end up living 65–100 years and over in terms of health. The vast majority
alone, affecting their access to learning opportunities. of them are able to conduct activities of normal life,
The majority of people aged 65 – 100 years and over including learning, despite experiencing aging-related
are women, but the number of men in this age group is health conditions and changing mobility capabilities.
increasing at a faster pace, particularly at older ages. In Under the human rights approach, no assumptions can
2021, for those aged 85 and over, there were 1.7 women for be made that those with health conditions or limitations
every man, compared to 1.9 women for every man in 2016. will not be learners. Although small minorities (under 5%)
This trend is more evident among centenarians. In 2016, suffer from illnesses such as dementia that could prevent
there were over five women for every man aged 100 and them from taking advantage of learning opportunities,
over, but by 2021, the ratio had declined to four women for the vast majority are eligible for them. Illnesses that could
every centenarian man (Statistics Canada, 2022a). See also impact cognitive development and chronic conditions

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2023) 37 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.339