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Demographics

Demographics show the statistical data about a population, such as average age, labour force participation, regional population, language used and more. This information helps with understanding labour market trends.

A changing population

See how the age breakdown of B.C.'s population is expected to change over time—slide the arrow along the timeline below.

Year

1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035

B.C. Population:

90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1
90+
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
<1

Men Women

Source: Estimates - Statistics Canada Projections - BC Stats, July 2016

A diverse population

B.C. is home to a diverse population that speaks many different languages. The most popular non-official ones are listed below along with the number and percentage of people that use it as their mother tongue. In 2010, 28% of British Columbians reported having a non-official language as their mother tongue.

Language Population

A Chinese Language
Punjabi
German
Tagalog (Filipino)
Korean
Spanish

Source: 2011 National Household Survey

Projected labour force participation

Participation rate refers to the percentage of the population 15 years and older that is either employed or looking for work. As B.C.'s population ages, participation rates are expected to fall.

2012
2022
2032

Men Women

Source: British Columbia Labour Force Participation Rate Projections: 2013 Edition (BC Stats)

Regional breakdown of population

British Columbia is a large province with seven different economic regions. The majority of British Columbians live in the Lower Mainland (Mainland / Southwest). The least densely populated areas of British Columbia are two northern regions: Northeast and North Coast & Nechako.

Region	Population	Percentage
Cariboo	Population 157,000	Percentage 3%
Kootenay	Population 145,900	Percentage 3%
Mainland / Southwest	Population 2,808,800	Percentage 61%
North Coast & Nechako	Population 96,500	Percentage 2%
Northeast	Population 69,600	Percentage 2%
Thompson-Okanagan	Population 528,700	Percentage 12%
Vancouver Island / Coast	Population 775,400	Percentage 17%

Source: BC Stats 2016 sub-provincial population estimates