View the most recent version.

The Daily. Thursday, October 7, 1999

Population estimates

Canada's population has surpassed the 30.5-million mark despite the slowest annual growth rate in 30 years. As of July 1, 1999, the nation's population stood at 30,568,000, an increase of just under 271,400 or 0.9% from July 1 last year.

This was the slowest growth rate since 1971, and only half the rate of 1.8% recorded during the peak year of 1988/89.

The major factor behind the slower growth was a decline of 21,400 in the number of immigrants. There were also about 4,800 fewer births nationwide and an increase of 4,400 in the number of deaths. Natural increase, that is the difference between births and deaths, has steadily declined as a factor in population growth since 1989/1990.

The population grew in all provinces and territories except Newfoundland and Yukon. For the second consecutive year, Alberta led with an increase of 2.0%, although this was down slightly from 2.5% the year before. Alberta's population as of July 1, 1999 was just short of the 3 million mark at an estimated 2,969,000.

Newfoundland's population declined 0.8% (-4,400) to 541,200, while the population for Yukon stood at 30,700, down 3.0% (-900).

Interprovincial migration was a major factor in the population increase or decrease for most provinces.

Population growth rate

Atlantic Canada: Pace of growth picked up

The pace of growth accelerated in the populations of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island between July 1, 1998 and July 1, 1999. All three recorded stronger interprovincial migration.

Note to readers Statistics Canada today releases preliminary population estimates for Canada, the provinces and the territories, as of July 1, 1999, as well as revised estimates for 1997 and 1998. Population estimates are revised using final migration numbers when they become available. Interprovincial migration data are derived from two sources. Preliminary migration estimates are based on changes of addresses recorded in the Child Tax Benefit Files from Revenue Canada and are available shortly after the reference month. Final migration estimates are based on addresses supplied on personal income tax returns and are available a year and a half after the reference year. The latest data available from this source are for 1997/98.

Prince Edward Island had the strongest growth at 0.6%, compared with only 0.1% the year before. Nova Scotia's population rose 0.5% in 1998/99, up from 0.2% the year before, while New Brunswick recorded a 0.3% increase, compared with a 0.2% decline the year before.

Growth rates virtually unchanged in Ontario, Quebec

Growth rates in 1998/99 in both Ontario and Quebec were virtually unchanged from the preceding year.

Ontario's population stood at 11,560,900 as of July 1, 1999, up 1.3%. This occurred despite a fall in the number of immigrants settling in Ontario from 106,700 in 1997/98 to 91,900 in 1998/99. However, Ontario experienced an increase in the net inflow of residents from other provinces, rising from 9,200 to 17,000 during the same period.

Quebec had an estimated population of 7,363,300, a 0.4% increase. About 27,600 immigrants settled in Quebec in 1998/99, up slightly from 27,000 the year before. However, the province continued to experience a net outflow of people to other provinces. It had a net outflow of 15,700 in 1998/99, down from 17,000 the year before.

As of July 1, 1999, Ontario accounted for 37.8% of Canada's population, and Quebec 24.1%.

The West: Growth easing off

Except for Manitoba, the growth rate in the population of the western provinces decelerated slightly. As of July 1, 1999, Manitoba's population stood at 1,143,400, up 0.5% compared with 0.1% the year before.

The major factor for Manitoba was a significant decline in the net outflow of residents to other provinces. The province recorded a net outflow of 1,300 people in 1998/99, down from 5,300 the year before.

On the other hand, Alberta has registered strong growth due to migration from other provinces. In 1998/99, it had a net inflow of 31,100 people, although that was down from 43,100 the year before. Since 1996, Alberta's population has increased 6.8%, the strongest growth among the provinces.

As of July 1, 1999, British Columbia's population stood at 4,029,300, up 0.7% compared with 1.0% growth the year before. This slowdown was due to an increase in the net outflow of residents to other provinces. British Columbia had a net outflow of 21,100 people in 1998/99, up from 10,000 the year before. The number of international immigrants settling in British Columbia was also down from 40,200 to 34,200.

Saskatchewan's population stood at 1,028,100, up 0.2%, a slightly slower pace than the year before.

The North: A new territory

The new territory of Nunavut had a population of 27,100 as of July 1, 1999. Although Nunavut officially came into existence on April 1, 1999, estimates of its population have been made back to 1991 based on its new boundaries.

This has also been done for the remaining portion of the Northwest Territories, which had a population of 41,700 as of July 1, 1999.

Available on CANSIM: matrices 1, 2, 4-6, 397, 5731, 6470, 6471, 6516, 6981 and tables 10102, 20104 and 40102.

For more information on other demographic estimates, contact Lise Champagne (613-951-2320). For further information, or to enquire about the methods, concepts and data quality of the population estimates, contact Daniel Larrivée (613-951-0694) or François Nault (613-951-9582), Demography Division.

Population estimates as of July 1

1996 to 1999

Net interprovincial migration estimates⁽¹⁾