Age Structure, 2006 - Later Working Years by Census Division (35 - 64 years)

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.