According to a CROP survey carried out within the framework of the 2007 AXA Retirement Scope, more than 10% of active Canadians (those who hold a job), consider working after retirement a good way to remain healthy. This opinion is shared by 12% of Spaniards, 13% of United Kingdom residents and 18% of Belgians. Only 8% of Frenchmen, 7% of Germans and 2% of the Japanese mention work as a means to remain in shape after retirement.
Walking and a balanced diet for good physical health...
According to this study, carried out among 11,590 people in 16 countries, various strategies are used by Canadian baby-boomers and retirees to remain in good health. Sport and physical activity come first on the list with 70%, closely followed by a well-balanced diet (64%). Canada has one of the largest numbers of actives who practice a sport (84%), right behind China (87%). In Canada, walking is the physical activity that is most frequently practiced (44% actives and 47% retirees), followed by cycling (26% actives and 12% retirees).
More than ever in good health...
Canadian baby-boomers and retirees seem satisfied with their health status. 89% of actives and 82% of retirees claim they are in good or very good health. Canada and the other Anglo-Saxon countries are parts of the world where the largest percentage of people considers themselves in very good health (40% for actives and 33% for retirees). At the other end of the scale, Spaniards and Japanese consider themselves in less good shape. Only 21.5% of Spaniards and 14.5% of Japanese say they are in very good health.
Pollution and stress: Major threats to our health...
To the question, "What threatens your health?" Canadians answered that pollution is the worst item in terms of threat to their health (90% of actives and 87% of retirees), closely followed by stress (87% of actives and 78% of retirees) and fast food (74% of actives and 62% of retirees). Compared with the citizens of the other surveyed countries, smoking and alcohol are two of the factors Canadians perceive as least threatening to their good health.
The AXA Retirement Scope
The AXA Retirement Scope is an international study whose objectives are exploring and understanding the attitudes of the population towards retirement and comparing its image to its reality.
The study, whose sample includes both actives and retirees, was carried out among 11,590 persons in 16 countries, from August 14 to September 10, 2006, in Canada, by a consortium of research companies led by the GFK Group and represented by CROP in Canada. The analyzed countries are as follows: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the Netherland, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore.
About AXA Canada
Operating throughout Canada, AXA Canada offers its clients, thanks to its 2,200 employees and 4,000 brokers and advisors, an extensive range of damage and life insurance products and financial services. In 2006, sales amounted to CAN$1.654 billion and net earnings reached CAN$175.5 million. AXA Canada is a member of the AXA Group, a world leader in Financial Protection, whose activities mostly take place in Western Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific region. Worldwide, 52 million clients have put their trust in AXA.
You may examine all the Canadian results of the AXA Retirement Scope (with international comparison) on the following website: www.axa.ca .