profile of the population

An aging population

An estimated 19% of residents of the Island of Montreal are under 18 years of age.  66% of residents are between 18 and 64 years old and 15% are over 65.  Of this latter group, 46% are over 75 years old.  It is estimated that by 2026, more than one out of five residents of the Island of Montreal will be a senior.  With an average of 1.5 children per woman in Montreal, there is no reason to expect a reversal of the aging trend.  The result will be heavy pressure on the working age population (15 to 64 years old) as seniors’ dependence on this group grows by an expected 10% over the next two decades.

Chart 1: Percentage of people over age 65, 2005

Chart 2: Percentage of people over age 75, 2005