Canada’s population growth slowed to 1.8% in 2024, with an increase of 744,324 people, marking a decline from 3.1% in 2023. This change follows Ottawa’s strategy to reduce temporary residents, with most growth driven by international migration rather than natural increase. Statistics Canada notes that over two million newcomers may depart in 2025 and 2026 due to expiring permits, reflecting tightened immigration policies amid rising unemployment. Notably, while the overall population reached approximately 41.5 million as of January 1, 2025, the number of non-permanent residents decreased for the first time in three years. However, asylum claimants rose by over 25,000. Despite these dynamics, three Atlantic provinces saw slight population declines, suggesting a return to pre-pandemic growth trends. Alberta, conversely, experienced the fastest growth at 0.6%.
Canada’s slower population growth in 2024
