Canada experienced a slight decrease in its population by approximately 55,000 individuals in the first quarter of the current year, as reported by Statistics Canada. The estimated population as of April 1 stood at 41,417,056, reflecting a 0.1% decline attributed to reduced immigration rates and a decrease in births compared to deaths.
During the initial three months of 2026, there was a notable decline in both permanent and non-permanent residents in Canada. The number of permanent immigrants dropped by about 20%, from 104,210 in 2025 to 83,149 in the same period this year. Additionally, over 117,000 non-permanent residents left the country. Statistics Canada indicated that these figures might be subject to revisions due to evolving international migration policies.
The agency noted a shift in the natural increase of the population, with deaths surpassing births by 155 individuals in the first quarter of the year. These demographic changes have had implications on the economy, with recent data suggesting a struggling Canadian economy.
Economists have linked the population decline to a decrease in the gross domestic product (GDP). The diminishing population size affects the economic landscape, with a smaller population potentially leading to a higher per-person share of the economic output. Experts emphasized the need for a collective effort to drive economic growth, highlighting the impact of reduced immigration rates on the GDP per capita.
While Alberta continues to exhibit population growth, provinces like Ontario and British Columbia experienced a more significant drop in temporary residents compared to permanent immigrants. The influx of Canadians migrating to Alberta from other provinces contributed to its population growth. However, Ontario and British Columbia saw fewer permanent immigrants settling in, leading to a decrease in their populations.
The decline in temporary workers and students has been a contributing factor to the population shifts in various provinces. The departure of temporary foreign workers and students outweighed the number of permanent immigrants moving to Ontario and British Columbia. This trend underscores the complex interplay between immigration patterns and economic indicators in Canada.
