Saskatchewan posted the strongest growth in population

Saskatchewan posted the strongest growth in population among the provinces during the three last months of 2007. Gaining people from every part of the country, Saskatchewan led the provinces in demographic growth for a second quarter in a row.

New population estimates showed that demographic growth was stronger in the West. The three prairie provinces, British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories all showed population growth higher than the national level.

As of January 1, 2008, Canada's population was estimated at 33,143,600, up by 52,400 from October 1, 2007. The nation's population increased 0.16%, the strongest fourth quarter growth rate since 1995.

While natural growth remained stable, net international migration was up. Canada had a net inflow of 27,700 people, the highest fourth quarter net growth since 1988.

Saskatchewan's population was estimated at 1,006,600, up by 3,300, a growth of 0.33%. Its population has been in constant growth since April 2006, when it hit a 25-year low of 986,900.

Saskatchewan solidified its position as the fastest growing province, largely the result of the nation's highest net interprovincial migration rate. Between October and January, it had a net inflow of 2,200 people from other parts of the country. In addition, its net inflow from international migration was the strongest for a fourth quarter since 1979.

Alberta's population increased 0.32% despite losses in interprovincial migration. Over the last three months of 2007, the province had a net outflow with every jurisdiction, Ontario and Quebec excepted.

Alberta's population continued to grow thanks to the highest natural increase of any province and to a net international migration inflow in the last three months of 2007, which was the highest in the country, owing notably to a sizable influx of non-permanent residents.

In central Canada, the populations of Quebec and Ontario continued to grow, but at a pace below the country's average.

Quebec, however, recorded its strongest fourth quarter growth since 1988, the result mainly of a hefty increase in net international migration, which reached its highest fourth quarter level since 1988. Quebec also registered its largest number of births for a fourth quarter since 1994.

Ontario's population growth in the last three months of 2007 was much more robust in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2006. Smaller losses in interprovincial migration and larger gains in international migration explain the province's stronger growth.

In the Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador's population grew for a second consecutive quarter after declining for several quarters. Its population rose 0.12%, the strongest increase in the region, to 508,100. The province had the second highest interprovincial migration rate in Canada. It was also the first time since 1988 that the province recorded net interprovincial migration gains in the fourth quarter.

Interprovincial migration was also the main contributor to population growth in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The only jurisdiction to incur a decline (a marginal one) was Prince Edward Island, which halted six consecutive quarters of growth. The drop was due primarily to net outflows to other provinces, especially New Brunswick and Ontario.

The Yukon and the Northwest Territories posted the highest growth rates in the country, the result of net inflows from interprovincial migration. Nunavut had its lowest fourth quarter growth since 1996. Migration losses, both international and interprovincial, offset Canada's highest rate of natural growth in Nunavut.

Note: These population estimates are based on 2001 Census counts, adjusted for net undercoverage. New population estimates based on the 2006 Census counts, adjusted for net undercoverage, will be available on September 29, 2008.

Available on CANSIM: tables 051-0005, 051-0006, 051-0017, 051-0020, 051-0037, 051-0045 and 053-0001.

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

The October to December 2007 issue of Quarterly Demographic Estimates, Vol. 21, no. 4 (91-002-XWE, free), is now available from the Publications page 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.