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As of July 1, 2010, Canada’s population was estimated
to be 34,108,800. This represents an annual growth rate of 1.1%
during the period 2009/2010, slightly slower than in 2008/2009 (1.2%).
About two-thirds of Canada’s growth during the 2009/2010 period
was due to net international migration. The number of immigrants to Canada
increased from 245,300 in 2008/2009 to 270,500 in 2009/2010 but
a decreased net flow of non-permanent residents (71,300 in 2008/2009 falling
to 33,100 in 2009/2010), resulted in the overall lower net
international migration in 2009/2010 than in the previous year.
Nunavut had the highest growth rate in Canada during the 2009/2010 period
at 3.1%. Among the provinces, the growth rate in 2009/2010 was
above that of the nation overall in Saskatchewan (1.6%), British Columbia
(1.6%), Alberta (1.4%) and Manitoba (1.3%).
The median age of the Canadian population on July 1, 2010 was 39.7 years,
an increase of 0.2 years compared to one year earlier, and up from 26.2 years
in 1971.
As of July 1, 2010, seniors aged 65 years and over
accounted for 14.1% of the Canadian population while 16.5% of the
population was comprised of children aged 14 years and under. In 1971,
it was 8.0% and 29.3%, respectively.
Across Canada, the lowest median age was in Nunavut (24.6 years)
and among the provinces it was lowest in Alberta (35.8 years). The highest
median age of the country was found in Newfoundland and Labrador (43.3 years).
Nova Scotia had the highest proportion of the population aged 65 and
over (16.0%). Newfoundland and Labrador, along with Nova Scotia, had the lowest
proportion of children in the country (14.8% each).