The City of Penticton is adapting to a growing shift in demographics as the gap between the number of working-age people and seniors continues to widen.
A new city-commissioned report by Vancouver-based Urbanics Consultants said Penticton’s population is likely to grow from 34,440 in 2016 to 41,770 in 2046, an annual growth rate of approximately 0.7 per cent.
The report found the share of population in the 15-64 years age cohort is expected to decline from 59 per cent in 2016 to approximately 52 per cent by 2046.
However, the proportion of seniors in the population is expected to grow from 29 per cent in 2016 to nearly 37 per cent by 2046.
The 2016 Census shows a significant imbalance in all south Okanagan communities.
Oliver boasts 37.9 per cent of its population over 65-years-old, while further south in Osoyoos, that demographic represents 40.9 per cent of the town.
“This translates into a very significant growth in the senior’s population from 10,006 in 2016 to nearly 15,660 by 2046,” stated the report about Penticton.
“The declining working-age group and significant increase in the aging population suggests that the City will be well-served by undertaking significant efforts to enhance the local economy and attract new investments to the city.”
Accessibility is on the forefront of city officials’ minds as the greying of the population accelerates.
“I think every community is struggling with creating economic vibrancy for their community dealing with an older or aging demographic it’s a reality not just in the Okanagan, not just the province but nationwide,” Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said.
The pace of aging will have profound implications for everything from social services, to transportation and healthcare.
“Collectively as a community we’ve invested heavily with the new patient care tower, a $312-million hospital expansion that the city is paying $56 million towards,” Jakubeit said.
Director of Development Services Anthony Haddad said the city is making improvements.
“The wider sidewalks providing improved accessibility on our street designs are a very important component. Improving our transit service and access for our senior community to a variety of services, Haddad said.
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