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Canada's population estimates, first quarter 2023

Released: 2023-06-28

Quarterly population estimate — Canada

39,858,480

April 1, 2023

0.7% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — N.L.

533,710

April 1, 2023

0.3% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — P.E.I.

176,113

April 1, 2023

1.2% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — N.S.

1,047,232

April 1, 2023

0.9% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — N.B.

831,618

April 1, 2023

0.7% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — Que.

8,831,257

April 1, 2023

0.5% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — Ont.

15,500,632

April 1, 2023

0.7% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — Man.

1,444,190

April 1, 2023

0.9% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — Sask.

1,221,439

April 1, 2023

0.6% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — Alta.

4,703,772

April 1, 2023

1.2% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — B.C.

5,437,722

April 1, 2023

0.7% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — Y.T.

44,412

April 1, 2023

0.4% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — N.W.T.

45,668

April 1, 2023

0.4% increase

(quarterly change)

Quarterly population estimate — Nvt.

40,715

April 1, 2023

0.1% increase

(quarterly change)

Demographic estimates for Canada, the provinces and the territories on April 1, 2023 are now available. These new data allow for an analysis of population growth during the first quarter.

Canada's population was estimated at 39,858,480 on April 1, 2023, an increase of 292,232 people (+0.7%) from January 1, 2023. This was the highest rate of growth in a first quarter for which comparable data are available (since 1972) and is a continuation of the higher growth rates observed over the previous four quarters.

In the first quarter of 2023, the vast majority (98%) of the population growth continued to be due to permanent and temporary immigration. Canada welcomed 145,417 immigrants in the first quarter, the highest for a single quarter for which comparable data are available and a record first quarter across all provinces. The country also saw net gains of 155,300 non-permanent residents in the first quarter, thanks in part to an increase in the number of work permit holders. On March 24, 2023, changes to the Canada–US Safe Third Country Agreement were announced, which might affect the levels of asylum claimants at the border.

Canada's population clock reached 40 million on June 16

Statistics Canada recently announced that Canada's population passed the 40 million mark on June 16, 2023, according to Canada's population clock (real-time model). Today's release of quarterly population estimates and related data tables are for a reference date of April 1, 2023, prior to that milestone being reached.

Population estimates are produced using Census counts adjusted for net undercoverage and the components of population growth (births, deaths, migration) obtained from various administrative data. For any given reference date, population estimates are available within three to five months.

Canada's population clock (real-time model) is an outreach tool that aims to provide information on the pace of the country's population renewal. It uses various assumptions based on recent trends to model population growth in real time, thus providing very timely insights on Canada's population size. The population clock is recalibrated on a quarterly basis, each time new demographic estimates are made available from Statistics Canada.

Population estimates and Census counts are the data used to meet some legislative requirements and in the context of various governmental programs.

The estimates released today are based on 2016 Census counts, adjusted for census net undercoverage and incompletely enumerated reserves. 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 of Population results will be disseminated in September 2023, when census coverage study results will become available.

  Note to readers

These are preliminary data and will be revised over the 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.

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.

Products

The product "Quarterly demographic estimates, provinces and territories: Interactive dashboard" (Catalogue number71-607-X) is available.

The product "Canada's population clock (real-time model)" (Catalogue number71-607-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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