Migratory increase is the main source of Canada's population growth
Between 2001 and 2011, migratory increase accounted for close to two-thirds of Canada’s population growth. The remaining growth came from natural increase, that is, the difference between births and deaths.
The larger contribution of immigration to Canada’s population growth is relatively recent. Until the 2001 to 2011 period, natural increase was the main engine of population growth. In the last decade, the situation reversed, with migratory increase becoming the main component of population growth owing to low fertility and population aging.
In the decades to come, migratory increase could become a more important source of population growth in Canada. It is projected that population growth from natural increase will continue to decline as the number of deaths gradually approaches the number of births.
