Demographic statistics

July 1, 2005 (preliminary)

Canada had the second highest rate of population growth among the G8 countries between 1994 and 2004. During that period, the Canadian population grew at a rate approaching 1%, while the rate for the United States was 1.1%.

Canadian growth considerably exceeded that of all other remaining countries in the G8. While United Kingdom and France respectively recorded rates of 0.34% and 0.40%, Japan, Germany and Italy all had rates between 0.1% and 0.2%. The Russian Federation was the only G8 country to see its population decline over the period.

Natural increase among the highest in the G8

Between 1994 and 2004, Canada’s rate of natural increase of 0.39% was exceeded only by that of the United States (+0.58%) among the G8. The United States was the only country in the group whose fertility rate was at the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.

With a fertility rate of 1.5 children per woman, which is ranked fourth among the G8 countries, and a life expectancy similar to other countries in the group, Canada continues to have a relatively high rate of natural increase. Among the other countries in the group, only France has a rate of natural increase (+0.35%) similar to Canada’s, while three countries (Germany, Italy and the Russian Federation) currently have more deaths than births. This phenomenon should not occur in Canada until around 2025 if the trends of recent years continue.

Highest net international migration among G8 countries

What distinguishes Canada the most was the size of its gains in migratory exchanges. At 0.61%, the Canadian net international migration rate was the highest of any G8 country from 1994 to 2004.

While net international migration was positive for all G8 countries, its level varied. The United States followed Canada with a net international migration rate of 0.52% and three countries (Germany, United Kingdom and the Russian Federation) posted migratory growth rates just above the 0.20% level. Japan and France brought up the rear with slightly positive net migration.

Because of the contribution of migration, Canadian population growth kept pace with that of the United States. Whereas US growth was primarily due to a high rate of natural increase, the growth of the Canadian population was largely and increasingly due to its net international migration.

The G8 is an informal group of eight countries which meet annually to discuss broad economic and foreign policies.

Natural increase is the change in population numbers between two dates resulting by substracting the number of deaths from the number of births.

Net migration is the change in population numbers between two dates resulting by substracting the number of emigrants from the number of immigrants.

Total population growth is the sum of natural increase and net migration or the change in population numbers between two dates.

With the fertility rate remaining around 1.5 children per woman for a number of years and with the population inevitably aging as a result, the contribution of international migration to Canada’s population growth will increase in the decades to come.

Canada’s population as of July 1st 2005

The population estimates released today continue the trends of recent years. Between July 1st 2004 and July 1st 2005, the Canadian population grew by 0.93% or by 296,100 to 32,270,500. The growth rate in 2004/05 was slightly lower than those posted in 2002/03 and 2003/04.

Between July 1st 2004 and July 1st 2005, Canada received 244,600 immigrants, 5,500 more than in the previous year. More than half of them (53.2%) chose Ontario as their province of residence.

Alberta posts strong growth

Probably because of soaring oil prices and employment in the oil patch, Alberta was the province with the fastest population growth between July 1st 2004 and July 1st 2005. By increasing at a rate of 1.62%, the population of Alberta grew by 52,000 to 3,256,800 on July 1st 2005.

During the year, Alberta received 17,400 international immigrants, a level not exceeded since 1993/94 (+18,200). Additionally, the province saw a substantial increase in its net interprovincial migration, which was up 6,000 from the previous year.

Among other provinces and territories which experienced growth rates above that of the country as a whole were British Columbia (+1.25%), Ontario and Nunavut (+1.08%). In contrast, small population losses were recorded in three provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador (-1,300), Saskatchewan (-200), and New Brunswick (-100).