Canada’s inhabitants stood at an estimated 41.65 million as of 1 July 2025, with a rise of solely 47,098 folks, or 0.1%, because the earlier quarter, in response to Statistics Canada. Apart from the pandemic-affected interval in 2020, this represents the slowest second-quarter development since data started in 1946.
This modest rise follows a interval of speedy immigration-led growth, together with a surge of over 3% development in 2023-24.
Decline In Short-term Residents Drives Slowdown
The first cause behind the present stagnation is a major decline in non-permanent residents (NPRs).
Between April and June, Canada recorded a web lack of 58,719 short-term residents, marking the third straight quarterly decline. The variety of NPRs dropped to three.02 million, equal to 7.3% of the entire inhabitants, down from the height of seven.6% in October 2024.
A breakdown exhibits a drop of 32,025 examine allow holders and 19,637 work allow holders. Alternatively, asylum claimants and guarded individuals rose by 17,901, persevering with a 14-quarter streak of development. Their numbers have now reached a file 497,443, with probably the most important will increase seen in Ontario and Quebec.
Immigration Stays Foremost Driver Of Development
Regardless of the broader slowdown, immigration remained the most important contributor to inhabitants development. Within the second quarter, 103,507 new everlasting residents have been admitted, accounting for over 70% of the entire development. That is according to the federal authorities’s 2025-27 Immigration Ranges Plan. The pure enhance, births minus deaths, added one other 13,404 folks.
Trying on the year-on-year pattern, development has slowed significantly. From July 2024 to July 2025, Canada’s inhabitants grew by 389,324 folks or +0.9%, down sharply from the 1.21 million (+3%) seen the earlier yr. A lot of this deceleration is linked to coverage adjustments launched in 2024, together with tighter controls on worldwide pupil enrolment and work permits, a part of broader efforts to scale back short-term migration.
Regional traits confirmed blended outcomes. Prince Edward Island led with development of +0.8%, adopted by Alberta at +0.4%. In distinction, British Columbia posted a uncommon inhabitants decline, down by 2,154 folks. Interprovincial migration additionally performed a job, with Alberta seeing a web acquire of 6,187, whereas Ontario skilled a web lack of 6,154, its fifteenth consecutive quarterly decline.
Ageing Inhabitants Raises Issues
In the meantime, Canada’s inhabitants continues to age. The median age has elevated to 40.6 years, up from 40.3 the yr earlier than. Seniors (65+) now make up 19.5% of the inhabitants. Newfoundland and Labrador stands out with one in 4 residents aged over 65, giving it the oldest demographic profile within the nation.
Economist Armine Yalnizyan warns that Canada is “on observe to have the smallest working-age cohort in a long time, fewer folks obtainable to work and extra older adults requiring care.”
The slowdown carries financial penalties. Financial institution of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has famous that weaker inhabitants development, mixed with a comfortable labour market, might depress family spending, an important pillar of an economic system that contracted final quarter.
Trying forward, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s authorities is predicted to unveil new immigration targets on 1 November, searching for to stability public considerations with the continuing want for expert staff to assist housing, infrastructure, and long-term financial resilience.