Canada’s population surpassed 41 million in the first quarter of 2024, largely due to permanent immigration.
The population grew by 242,673 people in the first quarter of 2024, representing a 0.6% increase—a consistent rate compared to the previous quarters.
Notably, however, 99.3% of this growth (240,955 people) was attributable to international migration, encompassing both permanent and temporary immigration.
This pattern is a result of Canada’s strong immigration levels plan, which aims to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and 500,000 in 2026.
The plan is committed to letting newcomers come to Canada, a strategy central to prioritizing economic growth and supporting family reunification while responding to humanitarian crises and recognizing the rapid growth in immigration in recent years.
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Permanent Immigration Driving Canada’s Population Growth
Permanent immigration has been a cornerstone of Canada’s population strategy.
Since the third quarter of 2021, Canada has welcomed over 100,000 immigrants each quarter. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 121,758 new permanent residents were admitted.
The Maritime provinces, in particular, saw record numbers of immigrants, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick each welcoming 3,999 immigrants and Prince Edward Island receiving 1,330.
This influx is largely driven by the demand for skilled workers in these regions – a problem which the region has been tackling through the Permanent Atlantic Immigration Program.
Role of Temporary Immigration in the Population Boost
Temporary immigration also significantly contributed to the population increase.
In the first quarter of 2024, Canada saw an addition of 131,810 non-permanent residents (NPRs).
Although this was higher than the same period in 2023, the net increase was among the lowest since the surge in temporary migration began in mid-2022. This suggests a potential stabilization in temporary immigration levels, especially in light of recent caps on permits for non-permanent residents.
The total number of NPRs in Canada reached a record high of 2,793,594 by April 2024. This includes 2,430,282 permit holders (for work or study) and their family members, alongside 363,312 asylum claimants and related groups.
While the number of work permit holders increased significantly, the number of study permit holders saw a notable decrease, continuing a seasonal trend but at a greater magnitude than previous years.
Alberta Leading the Way for Interprovincial Migration
Interprovincial migration also played a role in the demographic shifts. Alberta continued to be a prime destination, with a net gain of 12,482 people from other provinces and territories, marking its 11th consecutive quarter of net gains.
Ontario, on the other hand, experienced the largest net loss, with 9,020 people moving to other regions. This trend of net losses for Ontario has persisted for 17 quarters, highlighting ongoing demographic and economic shifts within Canada.
Canada’s population growth, driven predominantly by immigration, underscores the country’s strategic embrace of newcomers to boost its labour force and address demographic challenges.
