Canada’s population saw a decrease of approximately 55,000 individuals in the initial quarter of the current year, as indicated by recently released data from Statistics Canada. The population estimate as of April 1 stood at 41,417,056, marking a 0.1% decline attributed to reduced immigration rates and a lower number of births compared to deaths. This decline follows a previous report by the agency that highlighted an overall population decrease last year.
The first three months of 2026 witnessed a 20% reduction in permanent immigrants entering Canada, dropping from 104,210 individuals in 2025 to 83,149. Additionally, the number of non-permanent residents decreased by over 117,000, although Statistics Canada cautioned that these figures may be subject to adjustments due to evolving international migration policies.
The “natural increase” in population, where births exceed deaths, turned negative with 155 more deaths than births recorded nationwide in the first quarter. These demographic shifts have contributed to recent economic challenges in Canada, with indicators such as the gross domestic product (GDP) showing signs of struggle.
Experts like Stéfane Marion, the chief economist at the National Bank of Canada, attribute the economic downturn partly to the shrinking population. Marion emphasized that with a decrease in immigrants, the overall economic size may shrink, even though per-person economic shares could potentially increase. University of Waterloo economics professor Mikal Skuterud noted that as the population declines, GDP per capita has risen.
The decline in permanent immigrants in early 2026 aligns with the government’s revised immigration targets. Marion and Skuterud agree that future economic growth strategies must involve broader contributions beyond simply increasing immigration levels. Factors such as the diminishing number of foreign students, who often held low-wage jobs, also impact the economy negatively.
While Alberta continues to experience population growth, provinces like Ontario and British Columbia are facing more significant declines in temporary residents compared to permanent immigrants. Alberta’s growth is partly attributed to interprovincial migration. Notably, B.C. and Ontario saw a departure of temporary foreign workers and students, contributing to their population decreases despite new arrivals.