Analysis
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
In the second quarter of 2013, Canada’s population grew by 133,000 or 0.4% to an estimated 35,158,300 on July 1, 2013. This is similar to the second-quarter growth observed in the previous year. 1
Net international migration in the second quarter of 2013 accounted for 73.4% of the country’s population growth while natural increase contributed to the remaining 26.6% of this growth.
In the second quarter of 2013, net international migration was close to 97,600, up 4,000 from the same period in 2012. From April 1 to June 30, 2013, Canada received 75,400 immigrants, almost 2,400 more than in the same period in 2012. The net flow of non-permanent residents also rose in the second quarter of 2013 compared with 2012, going from 27,600 to 29,300.
Canada’s natural increase for the second quarter of 2013 remained relatively stable at 35,400, compared with 2012.
Population growth in the provinces and territories
Preliminary estimates show that in the second quarter of 2013, population growth was above the national average (+0.4%) in Nunavut (+1.6%), Alberta (+1.1%) and Saskatchewan (+0.6%). By contrast, population declined in Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.2%), the Northwest Territories (-0.2%), and Nova Scotia (-0.1%).
Atlantic provinces
As of July 1, 2013, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador was estimated at 526,700, a decline of almost 1,000 (-0.2%) from April 1, 2013. Population decline had not been this large for a second quarter since 2005 and was the result of losses in interprovincial migration, losing mostly in exchanges with Alberta (-800).
The population of Prince Edward Island increased by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2013, to a total of 145,200 on July 1, 2013. Net international migration (+500) was mainly responsible for the province’s population growth.
Nova Scotia’s population was estimated at 940,800 on July 1, 2013, down by 900 (-0.1%) from April 1, 2013. This was the largest population decrease for a second quarter in Nova Scotia since 1972. 2 The population decline was mainly due to record loss in interprovincial migration (-1,000) in a second quarter. Preliminary estimates indicate that Nova Scotia lost 1,100 people in interprovincial migration exchanges with Alberta.
The population of New Brunswick was estimated at 756,100 as of July 1, 2013, an increase of 400 (+0.1%) from April 1, 2013. Net international migration (+800) was mainly responsible for the province’s population growth, the second highest second-quarter level since 1972, with the highest in 2012. However, the province’s gains in net international migration were partially offset by negative net interprovincial migration, with most of the net outflow going to Alberta (-500).
Central Canada
The population of Quebec was estimated at 8,155,300 on July 1, 2013, following a growth of 25,800 (+0.3%) from April 1, 2013. The growth was mainly due to net international migration (+22,800) which was the highest level for any quarter ever recorded in Quebec. This gain in net international migration was fueled by the arrival of 16,000 immigrants and an increase in the net flow of non-permanent residents (+8,000), both were the highest second-quarter levels ever recorded. On the contrary, Quebec recorded net outflow of interprovincial migration of 4,800 people during the second quarter of 2013, which was more than double the level recorded in the same quarter in 2012. Most of the province’s net outflow in interprovincial migration went to Ontario (-2,300) and Alberta (-1,400).
As of July 1, 2013, the population of Ontario was estimated at 13,538,000, an increase of 39,900 (+0.3%) during the quarter. This growth was slightly lower than what was recorded in the same period last year (+43,500). Net international migration (+31,900) continued to be the main factor of the province’s growth in this quarter. Between April 1 and June 30, 2013, Ontario received 30,300 immigrants, almost 2,600 people higher than in 2012. In the second quarter of 2013, Ontario posted a loss of 4,800 people in net interprovincial migration which was similar to the level recorded in the same quarter of last year. Again, most of the province’s net outflow in interprovincial migration went to Alberta (-6,000).
Western Canada
The population of Manitoba was estimated at 1,265,000 as of July 1, 2013, an increase of 4,100 (+0.3%) from April 1, 2013. Net international migration (+4,200) continued to be the major factor of the province’s growth. During the second quarter of 2013, Manitoba received close to 3,600 immigrants. These levels in net international migration and immigration were similar to those recorded in the same quarter in 2012. However, the gains in net international migration were partially offset by losses in interprovincial migration exchanges (-1,600), mainly with Alberta (-1,100).
Saskatchewan’s population grew by 6,900 (+0.6%) in the second quarter of 2013, reaching a population of 1,108,300 on July 1, 2013. It was the largest population increase for any quarter since 1971. Net international migration (+4,100), which accounted for most of the increase, was the highest for any quarter ever recorded. During this quarter, Saskatchewan welcomed 2,900 immigrants which was the second highest number for any quarter recorded for Saskatchewan, with the highest in the second quarter of 2012. The province’s net interprovincial migration (+1,200) was also at its highest level for a second quarter since 2007. Saskatchewan gained mostly from interprovincial migration exchanges with Ontario (+800).
During the second quarter of 2013, Alberta’s population surpassed the 4 million mark and reached 4,025,100 on July 1, 2013. The population grew by 1.1% or 42,800 since April 1, 2013. Not only that Alberta recorded the largest second-quarter population increase since 1972 in the past quarter, it also led all provinces in terms of population growth for a tenth consecutive quarter. This growth was mainly the result of an unprecedented level of net international migration. Between April 1 and June 30, 2013, Alberta recorded the highest number in net international migration (+20,500) for any quarter since 1971 which was fueled by record numbers in immigration (+10,500) and net non-permanent residents (+10,500). In addition, net interprovincial migration (+13,800) was the second highest ever recorded in Alberta for a second quarter, with the highest in 1998. Most of the province’s net inflows in interprovincial migration came from Ontario (+6,000) and British Columbia (+2,100).
The population of British Columbia was estimated at 4,582,000 as of July 1, 2013, an increase of 14,000 (+0.3%) in the second quarter. The population growth was similar to what was observed for the same period in 2012. Gains in net international migration (+12,400) accounted for most of the increase. During the second quarter of 2013, British Columbia welcomed 10,100 immigrants, a level comparable to what was recorded in the same period last year. In addition, it posted an increase in the net flow of non-permanent residents (+4,900) from the same quarter a year ago (+2,800). For a sixth quarter in a row, British Columbia recorded a loss in net interprovincial migration (-1,300). This loss was more than double the level observed during the second quarter of 2012 (-600). The province’s largest deficit was in exchanges with Alberta (-2,100).
The territories
In the North, two of the three territories posted population increase in the second quarter of 2013. The population of Yukon was estimated at 36,700 on July 1, 2013, up 0.2%. The population of Nunavut increased by 1.6% to reach 35,600 as of July 1, 2013. The growth was mainly due to an increase in net interprovincial migration. The population of the Northwest Territories was estimated at 43,500 on July 1, 2013, a population decline of 0.2%.
- Date modified: