Like much of North America the seniors population in our region continues to rapidly outpace youth.
But that’s not necessarily a negative.
Lauren Rethoret is a researcher with the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) in Castlegar.
She says while individual communities decide what demographic they want to target the surging seniors numbers create emerging economic opportunities.
The RDI says stats show the number of seniors over 65 account for 21% of our region’s population and youth under 25 make up 24%.
The seniors population is expected to grow by over 40% the next 20 years and will overtake youth within three years.
