The Canadian government has released data showing that there are now more people aged 65 and older in the country than there are 15 and younger. That statistic only highlights the fast-paced growth of over-65s, which will continue well into the next decade.

Canada’s ageing population is, however, shadowed by those of its economic neighbours. Of all G7 nations, Canada has the smallest population of 65-and-overs. Worldwide, the country ranks 30th in the World Economic Forum’s Global Population Ageing Report, which ranks nations with the highest number of over-60s. In that report, all but one nation in the top 10 was European, with Germany leading the rankings in second place.

By any measure, Japan has the highest population of elderly citizens, taking the number one spot in both over-60s and over-80s. Japan is also home to more than 58,000 people over the age of 100, the largest number of people of that age group in the world.

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Author: Donald Armbrecht is a freelance writer and social media producer.

Image: Canadian flags in honour of Remembrance Day cover the property of a seniors home in Burnaby, British Columbia. REUTERS/Andy Clark