Canada’s population soars to new heights with int’l migration

Canada’s population spikes propelled by int’l migration | Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

As people cross borders to seek economic opportunities, education, or refuge, they continue to contribute to the rich multicultural fabric of host countries—influencing demographic trends and fostering interconnected global communities.

In Canada, international migration serves as a transformative force, driving the country’s population to a record-high of 40,528,396 as of Oct. 1, 2023.

Statistics Canada’s report on Dec. 19 revealed an increase of 430,635 people in one quarter, marking a 1.1 percent quarterly growth rate.

This growth rate is the highest observed since the second quarter of 1957 when Canada experienced an influx of 198,000 people.

The driving force behind this surge, according to the report, is international migration, particularly through programs for temporary residents like international students and temporary foreign workers.

Notably, from January to September 2023, Canada achieved 79.8 percent of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s target of 465,000 permanent residents for the entire year.

Meanwhile, in the third quarter of 2023, 96 percent of population growth was attributed to individuals arriving from other countries, underlining the significant impact of international migration on Canada’s demographic landscape.

“The rest of this gain (4 percent) was the result of natural increase, or the difference between the number of births and deaths,” they explained. 

“The contribution of natural increase to population growth is expected to remain low in the coming years because of population aging, lower fertility levels, and the high number of immigrants and non-permanent residents coming to Canada.”