Analysis
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In the fourth quarter of 2010, Canada's population increased by 40,400 (0.1%) and was estimated at 34,278,400 on January 1, 2011. Population growth was fastest in Western Canada, with Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta all posting rates of increase higher than the national average. The populations of Prince Edward Island and Quebec also grew at a faster pace than that of the country.
Canada's population growth during the quarter was lower than that observed in the same quarter in 2009 (55,900). While growth due to natural increase was relatively stable, net international migration decreased from 25,400 to 10,900.
The decline in net international migration is due to the significant decrease in the flow of non-permanent residents. The net number of non-permanent residents is generally negative in fourth quarters, while it is positive for the other periods of the year. This seasonality in the evolution of the number of non-permanent residents must be taken into account in the quarterly analysis of Canadian population trends.
The number of immigrants (57,700) observed in the fourth quarter 2010 was similar to the level recorded over the same period in 2009 (56,400).
Atlantic Canada
According to preliminary estimates, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador remained relatively stable in the fourth quarter. As of January 1, the population of the province was estimated at 509,100. Over the course of the fourth quarter, the province posted low levels of both natural growth and total net migration (interprovincial and international).
Prince Edward Island's population growth was estimated at 200 (0.2%) during the quarter. As of January 1, the population of the province was estimated at 143,500. Prince Edward Island was the province with fastest population growth rate east of the Prairies. Net international migration (300) was the main factor behind the province's growth. Prince Edward Island received over 400 immigrants during the quarter. In relative terms, Prince Edward Island's immigration level was the highest of all the provinces for a fourth consecutive quarter.
On January 1st, 2011, the population of Nova Scotia was estimated at 943,400. This was a decrease by approximately 500 compared with October 1, 2010. This loss is mainly attributable to exchanges with other provinces, Nova Scotia having posted natural growth and net international migration of close to zero.
The population of New Brunswick grew by more than 400 (0.1%) in the fourth quarter. The population of the province was estimated at 753,200 as of January 1, 2011. New Brunswick received more than 400 immigrants during the quarter, which is the highest level for a fourth quarter since 1979.
Central Canada
Quebec's population grew by approximately 11,000 (0.1 %) in the fourth quarter and reached 7,943,000 on January 1, 2011. Natural growth (6,700) was the main factor of the population growth. Quebec posted a slightly negative net interprovincial migration (-400) during the quarter, which is a smaller net outflow than what is generally observed for the province.
Ontario experienced population growth of 13,900 (0.1%) in the fourth quarter. As of January 1, the population of the province was estimated at 13,282,400. With net outflows of interprovincial migration (-1,800) and net international migration (5,200) affected by a decrease in the number of non-permanent residents (-12,600), natural growth (10,500) was the main factor behind Ontario's population growth.
Western Canada
Manitoba experienced the highest fourth-quarter growth rate in the country, with a population increase of approximately 3,600 (0.3%). As of January 1, 2011, the population of the province was estimated at 1,243,700. Net international migration (2,600) was the main factor behind Manitoba's population growth during the quarter.
The population of Saskatchewan grew by 2,300 (0.2%) in the fourth quarter and was estimated at 1,052,100 on January 1. Natural growth (1,100) and net international migration (1,100) were, in equal parts, the two main factors behind the province's population growth.
The population of Alberta grew by 7,700 (0.2%) in the fourth quarter, a growth rate higher than the national average. As of January 1, Alberta's population was estimated at 3,742,800. With net outflows of international migration (-2,100), the province's population growth during the fourth quarter was a result of natural growth (7,200) and interprovincial migration (2,500).
British Columbia's population remained relatively stable during the quarter (2,200). It had one of the slowest growth rates since July 1971, when coverage by the current system of demographic accounts began. On January 1, the population of the province was estimated at 4,554,100. Natural growth (2,500) was the most important factor in the province's population growth in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The territories
According to preliminary estimates, the population of Yukon declined by slightly less than 200 in the fourth quarter of 2010 and was estimated at 34,300 as of January 1, 2011. This decrease is mainly attributable to net interprovincial migration (-200).
The population of the Northwest Territories decreased by close to 200 in the fourth quarter, according to preliminary estimates. As of January 1, the population of the territory was estimated at 43,600. The territory's migratory net outflows were mitigated by its natural growth.
The population of Nunavut remained unchanged, with natural growth in large part neutralized by net outflows in interprovincial migration. As of January 1, the population of Nunavut was estimated at 33,300.
Year 2010
The population of Canada increased by 375,600 (1.1%) in 2010. More than 280,000 immigrants came to Canada in 2010, a total of 28,500 more than in 2009.
This was the highest level of immigration recorded on an annual basis since the 1950's. Most provinces and territories reported increased numbers of immigrants.
Despite increased immigration, Canada's population growth was lower in 2010 than in 2009. The increase in the number of immigrants was offset by a drop in non-permanent resident flows. In 2010, the net number of non-permanent residents was slightly less than 12,900 compared to a little more than 55,400 in 2009 and almost 71,400 in 2008.
There were an estimated 382,000 births and 250,800 deaths in 2010. This resulted in a natural growth of slightly more than 131,200, which was a bit less than the 135,600 recorded in 2009.
The provinces west of Quebec, along with Prince Edward Island and Nunavut, all posted higher growth rates than the national average.
Atlantic region
In 2010, Newfoundland and Labrador's population was down by almost 1,000. Newfoundland and Labrador was the only province to experience a population drop in 2010.
The province posted net losses in its exchanges with the other provinces and territories, posting net interprovincial migration of -900 in 2010. By comparison, in 2009, net interprovincial migration for Newfoundland and Labrador was slightly more than 2,500. Moreover, the province posted negative natural growth (-400) for the third year in a row.
Prince Edward Island's population posted a growth slightly above 2,100 (1.5%) in 2010. Prince Edward Island was the only province east of Ontario with a 2010 growth rate higher than the national average. Moreover, it was the province with the highest growth rate in Canada.
Immigration was the main factor for Prince Edward Island's growth, the province having welcomed almost 2,600 immigrants in 2010 – about 800 more than in the preceding year. This was the greatest number of immigrants received by the province since 1972. 1 Immigration was however partially offset by net outflows in interprovincial migration (-800).
Nova Scotia's population grew slightly by 1,500 (0.2%) in 2010. The province's net international migration (3,400) was partially offset by net outflows in interprovincial migration (-1,800).
New Brunswick's population increased by slightly more than 2,800 (0.4%) in 2010. The province received slightly more than 2,100 immigrants, the greatest number since 1975. New Brunswick also was a winner in its exchanges with the other provinces and territories, reporting net interprovincial migration of close to 700, the highest level since 1990.
Central Canada
In 2010, Quebec's population posted an increase of slightly more than 75,900 (1.0%). Its growth rate in was similar to the one observed in 2009, and thus remains among its highest since the late 1980s. Quebec received almost 54,000 immigrants in 2010, the highest level observed since 1972.1 In comparison, the province received 4,500 more immigrants in 2010 than in 2009 and 8,800 more than in 2008.
In 2010, Quebec posted net inflows of non-permanent residents of more than 2,900, down compared to 2009 (10,800) and 2008 (9,900). The province also lost in its exchanges with the other provinces and territories, experiencing net interprovincial migration of -3,700, about the same number as in 2009.
Ontario posted a population gain of 153,300 (1.2%) in 2010, a growth rate higher than the national average (1.1%). The main factor of Ontario's population growth was net international migration, which was 111,600 in 2010, up compared to 100,400 recorded in 2009. However, Ontario lost in its exchanges with the other provinces, posting net outflows in interprovincial migration (-4,500). This was however the lowest net loss since 2003.
Western Canada
In 2010, Manitoba (1.4%), Saskatchewan (1.4%), Alberta (1.4%) and British Colombia (1.2%) all experienced growth rates above the national level (1.1%).
Manitoba's population increased of by more than 16,900 (1.4%) in 2010. Net international migration (13,700) was the main factor of the province's growth. Manitoba received 15,800 immigrants in 2010, the highest count since 1972.1
On the other hand, Manitoba lost in its exchanges with the other provinces, posting net interprovincial migration of close to -2,400, about the same number as in 2009. For the first time since 1998, net non-permanent resident flows were also slightly negative (-500) in 2010.
Saskatchewan's population grew by slightly less than 15,100 (1.5%) in 2010. Net international migration (7,500) was the main factor of the demographic growth of the province. During the year, the province received 7,600 immigrants, the highest level since 1972.1 The province also reported in 2010 a natural growth of 4,900, the highest level recorded since 1995, and net interprovincial migration of 2,700.
Alberta's population increase was estimated at 52,500 (1.4%) in 2010. Natural increase (30 700) was the main factor in the province's population growth in 2010. Alberta's net international migration was slightly above 15,000. Immigration of 32,600, the highest level since 19721, was partially offset by a net outflow of non-permanent residents (-9,200). Although several provinces had lower net flows of non-permanent residents in 2010 than in 2009, only Manitoba and Alberta reported negative flows.
The province also recorded net interprovincial migration of 6,800 in 2010. This was 5,700 more than in 2009. However, the 2010 level is 11,000 less than in 2008 and 39,400 fewer than the peak reached in 2006.
British Colombia's population grew by 55,300 (1.2%) in 2010. Net international migration (38,200) was the main factor in the province's population increase. British Colombia's net interprovincial migration was 4,600 in 2010, which was less than the 10,400 recorded in 2009.
Territories
Yukon posted an estimated population growth of 300 (1.0%) in 2010. While losing close to 200 in its population exchanges with others provinces and territories, Yukon recorded a net international migration close to 400 and a natural increase of almost 200.
The population of the Northwest Territories did not change much in 2010. Its natural increase (600) was offset in large part by net outflows of interprovincial migration (-500).
Nunavut's population posted an increase of almost 800 (2.3%) in 2010. This was the highest demographic growth rate in the country. Natural increase (700) was the territory's major factor of demographic growth.
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