A new report from Statistics Canada says the gap between the number of children and the number of seniors continues to grow rapidly.
Preliminary estimates show 17.2 per cent of the population were aged 65 and older on July 1, 2018, while 16.1 per cent were aged 14 and under.
The number is projected to reach 20 per cent by the year 2024 as more baby boomers, who make up one-quarter of the population, turn 65.
By comparison, there were twice as many children aged 14 and under than people 65 years and older in 1986.
Statistics Canada said low fertility levels and an increased life expectancy are also helping to drive the trend.
New Brunswick has the highest proportion of people aged 65 and older at 20.8 per cent, which the report said is partly due to many young people of reproductive age moving to other parts of Canada.
Newfoundland and Labrador has the second-highest proportion at 20.5 per cent, followed by Nova Scotia at 20.4 per cent.
Overall, Canada has the second-lowest proportion of seniors among the G7 countries, after the United States.
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