Experiences of older women in Canada
Learn about the findings from the NIA’s 2025 Ageing in Canada survey.
Gender and aging in Canada
A recent report released by the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) in partnership with the International Longevity Centre Canada (ILC Canada) reveals that older women in Canada are living longer than men, but many are ageing with greater financial insecurity, loneliness and exposure to ageism.
Supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Experiences of Older Women in Canada: Findings from the NIA’s 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey is the first report in a three-part research series examining how gender shapes the experience of aging in Canada.
Although this report does not directly speak to dementia among Canada’s aging population, women are twice as likely to develop dementia as men, and make up over 50% of care partners caring for someone living with dementia, as reported in volume two of the Landmark Study (2024). The increased financial insecurity, loneliness and ageism women face can contribute to an increased risk of dementia.
The Experiences of Older Women in Canada report identifies where current systems are supporting older women effectively and more importantly, where the systems are failing those facing overlapping inequalities. The findings also demonstrate that experiences of ageing are not universal, with income and race influencing outcomes.