Rural Health: Comparisons of 1991 and 2000 Old-Age Dependency Ratios

This map shows the change in old-age dependency ratios from 1991 to 2000. The data was computed for each census division by dividing the 2000 dependency-ratio value by the value for 1991. Census divisions where the dependency ratio is unchanged or has increased during this time period have a value of 1.00 or greater. The old-age dependency ratio for Canada increased from 16.9 to 18.3. Many urban and rural area of the country experienced a significant shift to a "greyer" population during this period. However, while the actual old-age dependency ratio is still higher in rural areas, the relative increase in the ratio has been more rapid in predominantly urban parts of Canada.