Canada’s population growth continued to slow over the past year, with Statistics Canada reporting the lowest July-to-July increase in the country’s population in decades.
Canada’s population was estimated at 41,798,407 on July 1, 2026, an increase of 189,425 people, or 0.5 per cent, compared with July 1, 2025. Statistics Canada said this represents the lowest annual population growth in total numbers since 1944/1945 and the lowest percentage increase since 1915/1916. The latest figures show how sharply population growth has slowed after reaching a recent high of 2.8 per cent in 2023/2024. The annual growth rate fell to 1.1 per cent in 2024/2025 before dropping further to 0.5 per cent in 2025/2026.
Population growth also remained weak during the second quarter of 2026. Between April 1 and July 1, Canada’s population increased by 80,343 people, or 0.2 per cent. Statistics Canada said this was the lowest second-quarter growth since the second quarter of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly reduced international migration.
The slowdown is closely connected to changing international migration patterns. Statistics Canada said the rapid changes in population growth since 2020 have been driven almost entirely by changes in international migration. One of the most significant changes has been the decline in the number of non-permanent residents, including people holding study and work permits. Their number fell by 154,614 between July 2025 and July 2026, reaching 2,779,774, or 6.7 per cent of Canada’s total population. This compares with a peak of 2,984,285 non-permanent residents in October 2024, when they represented 7.2 per cent of the population.
The largest declines were among study permit holders and people holding both work and study permits. Statistics Canada said the annual decline in non-permanent residents was the largest recorded since comparable records began in 1971/1972.
The number of new permanent immigrants has also declined. Canada welcomed an estimated 368,224 new immigrantsbetween July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline and the first time since 2021/2022 that the number fell below 400,000. The reduction is consistent with lower immigration targets established by the federal government.
During the second quarter of 2026, Canada welcomed 99,148 immigrants, a 4.2 per cent decrease compared with the same period in 2025.
The demographic slowdown is also occurring alongside an aging population. Statistics Canada reported that the median age reached 40.9 years on July 1, 2026, while the average age was 42.1 years. The agency said the population had begun aging again after very high levels of international migration between 2021/2022 and 2024/2025 temporarily reduced or stabilized the average and median ages.
Population growth has not been uniform across the country. Alberta recorded the fastest population growth among Canada’s provinces, increasing by 1.5 per cent between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026. New Brunswick and Saskatchewan each grew by 1.0 per cent, while Prince Edward Island grew by 0.8 per cent, Nova Scotia by 0.8 per cent and Manitoba by 0.6 per cent.
Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia recorded slower growth than the national rate, at 0.3 per cent, 0.2 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively. Statistics Canada noted that these provinces traditionally receive a large share of international migrants and are therefore more affected by changes in international migration levels.
The latest figures come after preliminary estimates earlier in 2026 showed Canada’s population declining during parts of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. Statistics Canada cautions that demographic estimates can be revised as more complete administrative information becomes available.
The continuing slowdown could have implications for housing demand, labour supply, immigration planning, infrastructure and public services. It also represents a significant change from the exceptionally rapid population growth Canada experienced during the previous several years.
Statistics Canada said the latest estimates reflect ongoing changes in international migration and government policies affecting temporary and permanent immigration. The agency will continue updating population estimates as additional information becomes available.