Number of adults aged 20 to 64

Adults aged 20 to 64 are projected to account for 60.7% of Canada's population in 2025, representing 25.1 million people. This demographic has demonstrated minimal growth from 2020 to 2025. The transition of baby boomers into the senior age group has reduced the number of individuals in the adult demographic, explained by the demographic bulge now shifting into the 65-and-older cohort. Declining birth rates over previous decades have limited the flow of younger individuals into adulthood, creating further challenges for sustained growth in this segment. Despite these headwinds, immigration continues to be a leading factor supporting the size and composition of the adult cohort, as international migrants generally arrive during working age.

The adult segment has remained relatively stable through the five-year period, with overall growth of 1.8% consistent with broader national trends. While new entrants from younger cohorts remain limited due to sustained low fertility, ongoing international migration has played an outsized role in replenishing and expanding the adult labor force. Provincial variation has persisted, with regions such as Alberta and British Columbia attracting higher proportions of working-age adults through favorable job markets and population mobility, while others see relatively slower growth or net losses. Improvements in survivorship and rising life expectancy have also contributed to the stability of this group. Trends including increasing workforce participation among core-age adults, urbanization and economic migration have reinforced the centrality of this cohort within Canada's social and economic framework. An increasing emphasis on attracting and retaining international migrants and skilled workers has characterized national and provincial policy over the period, reflecting the economic dependence on a robust working-age population.

From 2020 to 2025, these demographic events have accentuated ongoing shifts in the country's age structure, with the share of adults remaining steady while the absolute size of the cohort experienced only marginal gains. This period has underscored the importance of immigration policy and labor market dynamics for supporting Canada's working-age population and maintaining its economic resilience, even as broader population aging introduces new challenges for intergenerational support and government planning.