Participation in Adult Education by the Elderly: A Multivariate Analysis and Some Implications for the Future

ABSTRACT Micro-data from a 1984 survey of adult education in Canada are used in the study. The data for persons 65 years of age and over are analysed using probit techniques. Prior level of education is found to be of considerable importance in determining the probabilities that elderly people will make use of adult education facilities. It is argued that future elderly population cohorts will have higher average education levels than present ones and that their members will therefore be more likely to take courses. Projections of increases in course enrolment by persons 65 and over are made for the next quarter century, based on the results of the probit analysis and projections of the population.