Population growth: Canada, provinces and territories, 2010
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This section examines the estimated population count and growth for Canada, the provinces and territories as of January 1, 2011 and analyzes the demographic components that account for this growth in 2010.1
As of January 1, 2011, Canada's population was estimated at 34,278,400 inhabitants, up more than 375,600 people from the same date in 2010 (Table A1-1). This population increase represents a growth of 11.0 per 1,000 in 2010, down slightly from 11.7 per 1,000 the year before (Figure 1). The average annual growth rate for Canada during the period 2006 to 2010 was 11.4 per 1,000, higher than for the G8 countries during this period including the United States (8.4), Italy (5.3) and France (4.7). Several countries experienced negative population growth including Japan (-0.6), Russia (-1.4) and Germany (-1.4).2
Figure 1 Total, natural and migratory population growth rates, Canada, 1972 to 2010
At the national level, population growth is the result of two components—migratory increase and natural increase. First, the migratory increase, is comprised primarily of the difference between immigrants who entered Canada and emigrants who left the country. Canada received more than 280,700 immigrants in 2010, the highest level recorded since the 1950s. This was 28,500 more immigrants than in 2009. The increase in immigration in 2010 was offset by a decline in the net inflow of non-permanent residents. Non-permanent residents (also called temporary residents) are people from another country who have a work or study permit, or who are refugee claimants, and family members living in Canada with them. 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. As a result, net international migration in 2010 was estimated at 244,400 persons, down from 258,900 persons the previous year.
The second component of population growth, natural increase, is the variation in population size over a given period as a result of the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths. In 2010, there was a natural increase of 131,200, resulting from an estimated 382,000 births and 250,800 deaths during this year. This was slightly lower than the natural increase of 135,600 recorded in 2009.
Population growth in the provinces and territories
At the provincial and territorial level, population growth is affected not only by net international migration and natural increase but also by net interprovincial migration. Net interprovincial migration is the variation in population over a given period as a result of movements of population between the provinces and territories of the country that involve a change in the usual place of residence (Tables A1-2 to A1-14 and Figure 2).
Figure 2 Population growth rates, Canada, provinces and territories, 2009 and 2010
In 2010, Newfoundland and Labrador's population was down by almost 1,000. As of January 1, 2011, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador was estimated at 509,100. 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 in 2010) for the third year in a row.
Prince Edward Island's population posted a growth slightly above 2,100 (14.5 per 1,000) in 2010. As of January 1, 2011, the population of Prince Edward Island was estimated at 143,500. 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 1972.3 Immigration was however partially offset by net outflows in interprovincial migration (-800).
Nova Scotia's population grew slightly by 1,500 (1.6 per 1,000) in 2010. On January 1, 2011, the population of Nova Scotia was estimated at 943,400. 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 (3.8 per 1,000) in 2010. The province received slightly more than 2,100 immigrants, the highest number since 1975. New Brunswick also benefited in its exchanges with the other provinces and territories, reporting net interprovincial migration of close to 700, the highest level since 1990. The population of New Brunswick was estimated at 753,200 as of January 1, 2011.
In 2010, Quebec's population posted an increase of slightly more than 75,900 (9.6 per 1,000). Quebec's population reached 7,943,000 on January 1, 2011. Its growth rate 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. 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 migratory 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 (11.6 per 1,000) in 2010, a growth rate higher than the national average (11.0 per 1,000). As of January 1, 2011, the population of Ontario was estimated at 13,282,400. 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 and territories, posting net outflows in interprovincial migration (-4,500). This was the lowest net loss since 2003.
In 2010, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Colombia all experienced growth rates above the national level. Manitoba's population increased by more than 16,900 (13.7 per 1,000) in 2010. As of January 1, 2011, the population of Manitoba was estimated at 1,243,700. 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. On the other hand, Manitoba lost in its exchanges with the other provinces and territories, 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 (14.4 per 1,000) in 2010. The population of Saskatchewan was estimated at 1,052,100 on January 1, 2011. 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. 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 (14.1 per 1,000) in 2010. As of January 1, 2011, Alberta's population was estimated at 3,742,800. 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 1972, 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 (12.2 per 1,000) in 2010. On January 1, 2011, the population of British Columbia was estimated at 4,554,100. 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.
Yukon posted an estimated population growth of 300 (9.7 per 1,000) in 2010. According to preliminary estimates, the population of Yukon was estimated at 34,300 as of January 1, 2011. While losing close to 200 in its population exchanges with other 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). As of January 1, 2011, the population of the Northwest Territories was estimated at 43,600. Nunavut's population posted an increase of almost 800 (23.0 per 1,000) in 2010. This was the highest demographic growth rate in the country. Natural increase (700) was the territory's major factor of demographic growth. As of January 1, 2011, the population of Nunavut was estimated at 33,300.
Tables
Notes
- The estimates presented in this chapter are subject to revision. Future modifications could affect the analysis of trends, particularly where the numbers are small or the net change is close to zero.
- Data are based on population estimates program, Statistics Canada and national statistical agencies. Average annual growth rates for the United Kingdom and Germany are for the period 2006 to 2009. Growth rate for France is for metropolitan areas only.
- Unless otherwise stated, historical comparisons in this chapter relate to the period between January 1, 1972, the first full coverage year of the current system of demographic accounts, and January 1, 2011.
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