The working-age population can be divided into two broad categories: the early-working age group (15-34) and the later working age group (35-64). The effect of fertility on the composition of these groups is obvious. The later working age group is largely composed of the baby-boomers (those born between 1946 and 1965), while the early working age group is composed of those born during the baby-bust period (1966-1974) and the children of baby-boomers. Thus, despite the fact that baby-boomers are now older, they still remain the largest group in the population. This is evident in the relatively large proportion (42.6%) of the population that belonged to the late working age group in 2006. The corresponding proportion was much smaller (31.3%) just 25 years ago in 1981. As a result of the entry into the working age group of the people born during the baby-bust period and the children of baby-boomers in 2006, only 26.0% of the population belonged to the 15 to 34 age group in 2006, compared with 36.5% in 1981.

The working-age population can be divided into two broad categories: the early-working age group (15-34) and the later working age group (35-64). The effect of fertility on the composition of these groups is obvious. The later working age group is largely composed of the baby-boomers (those born between 1946 and 1965), while the early working age group is composed of those born during the baby-bust period (1966-1974) and the children of baby-boomers. Thus, despite the fact that baby-boomers are now older, they still remain the largest group in the population. This is evident in the relatively large proportion (42.6%) of the population that belonged to the late working age group in 2006. The corresponding proportion was much smaller (31.3%) just 25 years ago in 1981. As a result of the entry into the working age group of the people born during the baby-bust period and the children of baby-boomers in 2006, only 26.0% of the population belonged to the 15 to 34 age group in 2006, compared with 36.5% in 1981.

New census data on age and sex show that as of May 15, 2001, the median age of Canada's population reached an all-time high of 37.6 years, an increase of 2.3 years from 35.3 in 1996. This was the biggest census-to-census increase in a century. Median age is the point where exactly one-half of the population is older, and the other half is younger. The nation's median age has been rising steadily since the end of the baby boom in 1966, when it was only 25.4 years. Nova Scotia and Quebec were the nation's oldest provinces, each with a median age of 38.8 years. Alberta was the youngest with a median age of 35.0. The group to increase at the fastest pace was that aged 80 and over. From 1991 to 2001, their numbers soared 41.2% to 932,000. The number of people aged 80 or over is expected to increase an additional 43% from 2001 to 2011, during which time it will surpass an estimated 1.3 million. At the same time, Canada has undergone a substantial decline in the number of children aged four and under. In 2001, the census counted 1.7 million children in this age group, down 11.0% from 1991, the result mostly of Canada's declining fertility rate. By 2011, this group may decline to an estimated 1.6 million.

Canada is demographically an aging society, although still one of the youngest in the G8 . In 2006, 17.7% of the total population was below age 15. Since the post-World War II baby-boom (1946 to 1965), this proportion has been steadily declining, although the pace of decline has become somewhat slower in recent decades — a clear reflection of fertility trends. In 1961, 34% of Canada's population was below age 15. It dropped to 22.5% by 1981 and to 17.7% by 2006.

Il est possible de diviser la population d’âge actif en deux groupes : les 15 à 34 ans et les 35 à 64 ans. L’effet de la fécondité sur la composition de ces groupes d’âge est évident. Le dernier groupe d’âge actif est largement composé de baby-boomers (personnes nées entre 1946 et 1965), alors que le premier compte la génération X, dite du « baby-bust » (personnes nées entre 1966 et 1974), ainsi que les enfants des baby-boomers. En dépit du fait que les baby-boomers sont maintenant plus âgés, ils demeurent le groupe démographique le plus important. Cette tendance ressort clairement dans la proportion relativement importante (42,6 %) de la population qui appartenait au dernier groupe d’âge actif en 2006. Cette proportion était beaucoup plus faible (31,3 %) il y a à peine 25 ans, en 1981. Malgré l’arrivée du groupe d’âge actif composé de personnes nées durant la période du « baby-bust », et des enfants des baby-boomers, la proportion des 15 à 34 ans ne représentait que 26,0 % de la population active en 2006, comparativement à 36,5 % en 1981.

New census data on age and sex show that as of May 15, 2001, the median age of Canada's population reached an all-time high of 37.6 years, an increase of 2.3 years from 35.3 in 1996. This was the biggest census-to-census increase in a century. Median age is the point where exactly one-half of the population is older, and the other half is younger. The nation's median age has been rising steadily since the end of the baby boom in 1966, when it was only 25.4 years. Nova Scotia and Quebec were the nation's oldest provinces, each with a median age of 38.8 years. Alberta was the youngest with a median age of 35.0. The group to increase at the fastest pace was that aged 80 and over. From 1991 to 2001, their numbers soared 41.2% to 932,000. The number of people aged 80 or over is expected to increase an additional 43% from 2001 to 2011, during which time it will surpass an estimated 1.3 million. At the same time, Canada has undergone a substantial decline in the number of children aged four and under. In 2001, the census counted 1.7 million children in this age group, down 11.0% from 1991, the result mostly of Canada's declining fertility rate. By 2011, this group may decline to an estimated 1.6 million.

La société canadienne est vieillissante, mais elle demeure parmi les plus jeunes dans le G8. En 2006, 17,7 % de la population totale était âgée de moins de 15 ans. Depuis le baby-boom de l’après-guerre (de 1946 à 1965), la proportion de jeunes n’a cessé de décroître, mais à un rythme qui a quelque peu ralenti ces dernières décennies — témoignant clairement des tendances de la fécondité. En 1961, la proportion de jeunes Canadiens âgés de moins de 15 ans s’élevait à 34 %. Elle a baissé à 22,5 % en 1981 et à 17,7 % en 2006.

Les nouvelles données du recensement sur l'âge et le sexe nous révèlent que, le 15 mai 2001, l'âge médian de la population canadienne atteignait un sommet historique de 37,6 ans, en hausse de 2,3 ans par comparaison à 35,3 ans en 1996. Il s'agissait de la plus importante augmentation intercensitaire du siècle. L'âge médian représente le point milieu entre la population la plus vieille et la plus jeune. L'âge médian au pays a augmenté de façon continue depuis la fin du baby-boom en 1966. Il se situait alors à 25,4 ans. Les populations de la Nouvelle-Écosse et du Québec étaient les plus âgées, affichant chacune un âge médian de 38,8 ans. La population de l'Alberta était la plus jeune, avec un âge médian de 35,0 ans. Le groupe ayant augmenté le plus rapidement est celui des 80 ans et plus. De 1991 à 2001, leur nombre a grimpé de 41,2 % pour s'élever à 932 000 personnes. On s'attend à ce que le nombre de personnes âgées de 80 ans et plus augmente d'un autre 43 % entre 2001 et 2011, période au cours de laquelle il devrait dépasser 1,3 million de personnes. En même temps, le Canada a affiché une diminution importante du nombre d'enfants âgés de quatre ans et moins. En 2001, le recensement a dénombré 1,7 million d'enfants dans ce groupe d'âge, une baisse de 11,0 % depuis 1991. Il s'agit principalement des conséquences de la baisse de la fécondité enregistrée au pays. D'ici 2011, ce groupe pourrait encore diminuer pour s'établir à environ 1,6 million de personnes.