Millennials now outnumber baby boomers in Canada

Although the country's population aging continues, it was slowed by the increase in permanent and temporary immigration observed in 2022 and 2023. As the many recent immigrants are on average younger than the rest of the Canadian population, the average age of the Canadian population fell slightly from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, a first since 1958.

However, the number and proportion of people aged 65 years and older have continued to rise, driven by the aging of the large baby boomer cohorts.

The share of millennials and Generation Z is increasing, while that of baby boomers and Generation X is decreasing.

On July 1, 2023, for the first time, the millennial generation (born between 1981 and 1996) comprised a greater number of people in the population than the baby boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1965).

The baby boomer generation became the largest in the population in 1958, seven years before the last baby boomer was even born. For 65 years, they remained the largest generation in the Canadian population. From the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, baby boomers accounted for around 40% of the population. By comparison, millennials' demographic weight will never reach the level of baby boomers' and is expected to peak at its current level of 23%, according to the most recent population projections.

Millennials are not the only generation to have increased their demographic weight from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023. Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) has become the third-largest generation in Canada, now surpassing Generation X (born between 1966 and 1980).

Notably, Generation X, whose members were born during a period of sharply declining fertility, will never have been the largest generation in Canada.

According to the latest population projections, Generation Z could overtake millennials in numbers between 2038 and 2053.

The rise in the millennial and Generation Z populations is largely due to the recent arrival of a record number of permanent and temporary immigrants, many of whom are millennials or Generation Z. From July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, the millennial population increased by 457,354, exclusively due to the arrival of permanent and temporary immigrants. This increase even exceeds the annual growth of the young Generation Alpha (+454,133)—the members of which have been born since 2013—which grows mainly through births.

To a lesser extent, these changes in the generational breakdown of the population are also attributable to the aging of older generations. The number of baby boomers has been declining year over year since 2006, as deaths in this generation outnumber the arrival of immigrants, most of whom are young adults aged less than 40.


Beebe Cline - Hugh & McKinnon
14007 16th Ave, White Rock, BC, V4A 1P9

Toll Free: 1-888-419-1909, Cell: 604-531-1909, Fax: 604-531-4624
Email: bcline@shaw.ca, Websites: www.beebecline.com and www.whiterocklifestyles.com

Latest Listings

Crescent Bch Ocean Pk.

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

12629 25 AVENUE

$2,588,000

  • 3,056 sq.ft.
  • 4 Beds
  • 3 full & 1 half baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

East Beach

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

835 STEVENS STREET

$2,248,000

  • 3,365 sq.ft.
  • 6 Beds
  • 3 full & 1 half baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

South Marine

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

1704 3430 E KENT AVENUE

$959,000

  • 943 sq.ft.
  • 2 Beds
  • 2 full baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

White Rock

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

1003 14824 NORTH BLUFF ROAD

$1,399,000

  • 1,474 sq.ft.
  • 2 Beds
  • 2 full baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

Crescent Bch Ocean Pk.

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

1408 129A STREET

$1,922,000

  • 2,516 sq.ft.
  • 3 Beds
  • 2 full & 1 half baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

White Rock

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

14027 BLACKBURN AVENUE

$2,188,800

  • 3,604 sq.ft.
  • 4 Beds
  • 3 full & 1 half baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

White Rock

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

507 1575 BEST STREET

$775,000

  • 1,314 sq.ft.
  • 2 Beds
  • 2 full baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

White Rock

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

201 1467 MARTIN STREET

$568,000

  • 1,065 sq.ft.
  • 2 Beds
  • 2 full baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

Downtown White Rock

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

309 15165 THRIFT AVENUE

$1,075,000

  • 1,123 sq.ft.
  • 2 Beds
  • 3 full baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

Grandview Surrey

Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.

16211 31 AVENUE

$2,795,000

  • 4,173 sq.ft.
  • 6 Beds
  • 4 full & 1 half baths
  • Listing Provided By:
    Hugh & McKinnon Realty Ltd.

The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the MLS Reciprocity program of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLSR logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Copyright 2024 by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board, BC Northern Real Estate Board, and Kootenay Real Estate Board. All Rights Reserved.