Canada's population estimates: Record-high population growth in 2022
Released: 2023-03-22
39,566,248
January 1, 2023
0.7% 
(quarterly change)
531,948
January 1, 2023
0.6%
(quarterly change)
173,954
January 1, 2023
0.7%
(quarterly change)
1,037,782
January 1, 2023
0.7%
(quarterly change)
825,474
January 1, 2023
0.6%
(quarterly change)
8,787,554
January 1, 2023
0.4%
(quarterly change)
15,386,407
January 1, 2023
0.8%
(quarterly change)
1,431,792
January 1, 2023
0.8%
(quarterly change)
1,214,618
January 1, 2023
0.8%
(quarterly change)
4,647,178
January 1, 2023
1.0%
(quarterly change)
5,399,118
January 1, 2023
0.6%
(quarterly change)
44,238
January 1, 2023
0.6%
(quarterly change)
45,493
January 1, 2023
-0.2% 
(quarterly change)
40,692
January 1, 2023
0.3%
(quarterly change)
Demographic estimates for Canada, the provinces and territories on January 1, 2023, are now available. These new data allow for the analysis of population growth during the 2022 calendar year, as well as for the last quarter of 2022.
Record-high population growth in the year 2022
Canada's population was estimated at 39,566,248 on January 1, 2023, after a record population growth of 1,050,110 people from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023.
This marks the first 12-month period in Canada's history where population grew by over 1 million people, and the highest annual population growth rate (+2.7%) on record since that seen for 1957 (+3.3%). This previous record population growth rate in 1957 was related to the high number of births during the post-war baby boom and the high immigration of refugees following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
In 2022, the reason behind Canada's record-high population growth was somewhat different, since international migration accounted for nearly all growth recorded (95.9%).
Canada is by far leading the G7 countries for population growth in 2022, as it has been the case for many years.
Compared with 2021 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country growth rates, the latest available for all members, Canada would rank first with a population growth of 2.7% for the year 2022. Moreover, according to the most recent figures for other countries (as of 2021), Canada's population growth rate of 2.7% in 2022 would put it among the top 20 in the world. Almost all countries with a higher pace of population growth were in Africa.
If it stayed constant in years to come, such a rate of population growth would lead to the Canadian population doubling in about 26 years.
The increase seen in international migration is related to efforts by the Government of Canada to ease labour shortages in key sectors of the economy. High job vacancies and labour shortages are occurring in a context where population aging has accelerated in Canada and the unemployment rate remains near record low. A rise in the number of permanent and temporary immigrants could also represent additional challenges for some regions of the country related to housing, infrastructure and transportation, and service delivery to the population.
Temporary immigration is the leading contributor to Canada's growth
For the year 2022, Canada welcomed 437,180 immigrants and saw a net increase of the number of non-permanent residents estimated at 607,782. Both of these numbers represent the highest levels on record, reflecting higher immigration targets and a record-breaking year for the processing of immigration applications at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
The estimated gains in non-permanent residents recorded for 2022 are the highest for a single calendar year for which comparable data are available. Furthermore, it is the first time these gains are superior to those from immigrants over the same period.
All provinces and territories saw a year-over-year increase in the net estimated number of non-permanent residents in 2022, with work and study permits, in addition to the number of asylum claimants, up across the country. This increase is because of a combination of factors, including the aforementioned intent to leverage international migration to help fulfill employment needs across the country and the program created to welcome people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A fourth quarter reflecting annual trends
From October 1 to December 31, 2022, the period representing the fourth quarter of 2022, Canada's population increased by 273,893 people (+0.7%). This was the highest rate of growth recorded in a fourth quarter since the same period in 1956 (+0.7%).
As was seen for the year 2022, international migration accounted for nearly all growth recorded during the fourth quarter of 2022 (97.7%). This quarter saw the addition of 83,152 immigrants and the most estimated net new non-permanent residents (+196,262) of any fourth quarter for which comparable data exist.
The estimates released today are based on 2016 Census counts, adjusted for census net undercoverage and incompletely enumerated reserves and settlements. To these counts, the population growth estimates for the period from May 10, 2016, to the date of the estimate are added. They are not to be confused with the 2021 Census population counts released on February 9, 2022. Population estimates based on the 2021 Census results will be disseminated in September 2023, when census coverage study results associated with the 2021 Census will become available.
Note to readers
These are preliminary data and will be revised over the coming year.
Canada's population clock (real-time model)
Canada's population clock (real-time model) was updated today with the most recent data from quarterly population estimates released by Statistics Canada.
Canada's population clock is an interactive learning tool aiming to give Canadians a sense of the pace of the country's population renewal. The population estimates and census counts remain the measures used by various government programs.
Definitions
For the purpose of calculating rates, the denominator is the average population during the period (the average of the start-of-period and end-of-period populations). For the sake of brevity, the terms growth, population growth and population growth rate have the same meaning.
Total population growth in Canada is equal to natural increase (births minus deaths) plus international migratory increase (immigrants plus net non-permanent residents minus net emigration). At the provincial and territorial level, total population growth also includes interprovincial migratory increase.
Natural increase is the difference between the number of births and deaths.
Net international migration refers to the total number of moves between Canada and abroad that result in a change in the usual place of residence. It is calculated by adding immigrants, returning emigrants and net non-permanent residents, then subtracting emigrants and net temporary emigration.
An immigrant (or permanent immigrant) refers to a person who is or has been a landed immigrant (permanent resident) and who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants are either Canadian citizens by naturalization (the citizenship process) or permanent residents under Canadian legislation. Some immigrants have resided in Canada for a number of years, while others have arrived recently. Most immigrants are born outside Canada, but a small number are born in Canada. Also, children born in other countries to parents who are Canadian citizens who are temporarily residing in another country are not included in the category since they are Canadian citizens at birth. The terms immigrant, landed immigrant and permanent resident are equivalent.
A non-permanent resident (or temporary immigrant) is a person lawfully in Canada on a temporary basis under the authority of a valid document (work permit, study permit, ministerial permit) issued to that person along with members of their family living with them. This group also includes individuals who seek refugee status upon or after their arrival in Canada and remain in the country pending the outcome of processes relative to their claim. Note that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada uses the term temporary resident rather than non-permanent resident. The number of net non-permanent residents is calculated by subtracting the number of non-permanent residents estimated at the beginning of the period from the number estimated at the end of the period.
Interprovincial migration represents all movement from one province or territory to another involving a change in the usual place of residence.
Products
The product Quarterly demographic estimates, provinces and territories: Interactive dashboard (71-607-X) is available.
The product Canada's population clock (real-time model) (71-607-X) is also available.
The updated Population and demography statistics and Older adults and population aging statistics portals are also available.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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