Alberta has again led the provinces in population growth

Alberta has again led the provinces in population growth, according to preliminary demographic estimates for the year ending June 30, 2007. But indications are that the major component fuelling Alberta's gains—interprovincial migration—has started to ease off.

Between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007, Alberta's population increased 3.1%. This growth rate was more than three times greater than that of the country, and the strongest since 1981/1982.

However, during the second quarter of 2007, Alberta's net gains from interprovincial migration were estimated at only 7,400 people. That is 2,100 fewer people than in the second quarter of 2006, and 4,600 fewer than in the same period in 2005. These lower net gains are mainly the result of an increase in the number of people leaving Alberta for other regions of the country.

Nationally, Canada's population hit an estimated 32,976,000, a gain of 326,500 people and a growth of 1% between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. The rate of growth was similar to that in 2005/2006.

Other than Alberta, British Columbia and Nunavut were the only jurisdictions where the population increased faster than that of the country.

Quebec's population grew at a pace similar to that in the previous year despite big jumps in births and the number of immigrants. Ontario's rate of growth was the slowest since 1980/1981.

Three jurisdictions recorded declines in population between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Yukon. After two consecutive years of losses, Saskatchewan rebounded with a demographic increase.

The increase in the number of births goes on

An estimated 352,800 babies were born in Canada during 2006/2007, the highest number since 357,300 in 1996/1997 and the sixth consecutive annual rise. Increases in births were especially strong in Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.

Even though net international migration declined, it continues to be the main engine of population growth in Canada, and accounted for about two-thirds of the demographic increase in 2006/2007.

Canada received 238,100 immigrants during 2006/2007, 16,300 fewer than in the previous year.

For the eighth year in a row, the number of non-permanent residents increased. During 2006/2007, this number rose 17,900 to 439,100, the highest level since 1990.

Provinces and territories: A changing demographic portrait

Alberta's population reached an estimated 3,474,000 as of July 1, 2007. Interprovincial migration accounted for about half of the province's population increase of 103,400, a new record. During the year ending June 30, 2007, Alberta gained around 51,200 people from other jurisdictions in Canada, 5,400 more than in the previous year.

However, Alberta's net gains from interprovincial migration are slowing. Net migration peaked during the third quarter of 2006, but it has been decelerating slowly since then.

In the Atlantic region, the demographic situation brightened. In 2005/2006, all four Atlantic provinces incurred a decline in population. In 2006/2007, only Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia incurred decreases.

The populations in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick increased, mainly the result of fewer losses in interprovincial migration and higher numbers of immigrants.

In Quebec, the population grew at a pace similar to that in 2005/2006 despite a big jump in births and immigrants. Roughly 83,200 babies were born in Quebec in 2006/2007, the first time the level surpassed 80,000 since 1996/1997.

The province received 45,100 immigrants, the highest number since 1992/1993. On the other hand, Quebec had a net interprovincial migration outflow of 15,600, the highest since 1997/1998.

During 2006/2007, Ontario's population increased about 0.8%, the lowest rate since 1980/1981. This slower growth was the result of a decrease in immigration and substantial net outflows due to interprovincial migration.

During 2006/2007, Ontario incurred a net outflow of 36,200 people to other parts of the country, the highest outflow in recent history. In addition, the province attracted only 48.5% of all immigrants to Canada in 2006/2007, compared with 59.6% in 2001/2002.

The West: A faster demographic growth

Manitoba's population increased about 0.7%, the second fastest rate in two decades. This was due to lower net outflows from interprovincial migration, and to a record-high 10,800 immigrants, which surpassed last year's record of 8,900. For the first time, the province posted the highest annual immigration rate in the country.

After two consecutive years of losses, Saskatchewan gained population, posting a growth rate of 0.9%, the third fastest rate among the provinces behind British Columbia and Alberta. This was also the province's fastest growth rate since 1984/1985.

This increase was due mainly to a net inflow of 4,000 people from interprovincial migration. Saskatchewan's net interprovincial migration was positive for the first time since 1983/1984, reaching the highest level since 1975/1976.

British Columbia posted a population growth rate of about 1.4%, virtually the same as the previous year. This is the second fastest growth rate among the provinces. British Columbia had a net inflow of 10,600 people from interprovincial migration, the highest since 1995/1996. This offset a decline in international immigration to the province.

In the North, Nunavut recorded growth of 2.3%, more than twice the country's pace of increase, the result of its strong fertility rates and the highest net inflows from interprovincial migration in its history.

After two years of decline, the Northwest Territories posted a population gain, thanks to higher net interprovincial migration. Conversely, Yukon was the only territory showing a net population decline, mainly because of larger losses from interprovincial migration.

Second quarter of 2007: Alberta's demographic slowdown goes on

Canada's population increased by 105,300 between April and June 2007. The growth rate of 0.3% was similar to what was measured in the same quarter of 2006.

Canada received an estimated 61,700 immigrants during the second quarter, down from 67,900 in the same quarter last year. The number of immigrants rose in almost all jurisdictions, except for British Columbia (-17.2%) and Ontario (-15.5%).

Alberta's gains resulting from net interprovincial migration were smaller in the second quarter, although levels were still high. While the number of migrants entering Alberta increased marginally, the number of those leaving rose much more rapidly.

Interprovincial migration accounted for 30% of Alberta's overall growth, down from nearly 42% during the second quarter of 2006.

Saskatchewan benefited the most from the increase in people leaving Alberta. It had the second highest growth among the provinces behind Alberta, thanks to net interprovincial migration that was positive for a second quarter for the first time since 1984.

The three territories posted strong demographic growth. Nunavut showed the highest growth rate amongst Canadian jurisdictions, more than three times the country's level. The Northwest Territories ranked second, and Yukon, fourth.

The number of births was up in certain parts of the country. Between April and June, Quebec recorded 21,500 births, the highest second-quarter number for that province since 1997.

Available on CANSIM: tables 051-0004 to 051-0006, 051-0017 to 051-0020, 051-0037, 051-0045 and 053-0001.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3231, 3233 and 3601.

The publications, Quarterly Demographic Estimates, Vol. 21, no. 2 (91-002-XWE, free) and Annual Demographic Estimates, 2006/2007 (91-215-XWE, free), are now available from the Publications module of our website.

For more information, to obtain additional data, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (toll-free               1-866-767-5611       ;               613-951-2320       ; fax: 613-951-2307; demography@statcan.ca), Demography Division.