Older men most likely to work as farmers while women work in sales
The proportion of seniors working increased over the past decade following declines in the 1980s and 1990s, according to Statistics Canada.
The study, Labour Market Activity Among Seniors, found the employment rate for men aged 65 and older increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent from 1996 to 2006. The employment rate for senior women increased from four per cent to six per cent over the same time.
Senior men and women in the highest and lowest income levels were more likely to be employed than those in the middle.
However, seniors in the highest income group were significantly less likely to work full time for the whole year than those in the lowest income group.
Seniors were more likely to be employed if they had higher levels of education, few activity limitations and an outstanding mortgage, even after controlling for income from other sources.
Almost one-half of working seniors were employed in the business and consumer services industry.
The most common occupation among senior men was farmer. Senior women were more likely to be employed as retail salespersons and sales clerks.
