Development of Canada's Metropolitan - non-metropolitan age studies: a comparison of census years 1971 and 1981

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to observe and analyze trends in Canada's metropolitan and non-metropolitan age structure by comparing census years 1971 and 1981. In an effort to identify salient temporal and spatial trends, two types of analyses will be conducted: the index of age diversity and the cluster analysis. These analyses will be applied to age data taken from the 1971 and 1981 censuses. Twenty-five metropolitan areas and ten non-metropolitan areas were used and aggregated provincially. The age structure was divided into seven age groups. The research shows that variations In conditions over space and time affect age composition to some extent. Although the degree of diversity may be similar, the internal age composition may be different. The research will also invalidate the claim that city size is correlated with their index of age diversity. factors such as fertility, changes in the role of women, increases in life expectancy, sex ratios, marital status, migration, and cultural practices are offered as determinants of age composition and change.