Canada’s population fell in the first quarter of 2026

Canada’s population declined by about 55,000 people in the first three months of 2026, according to new Statistics Canada estimates. As of April 1, the country’s population was 41,417,056, marking a 0.1 per cent drop. The decline was driven by fewer immigrants, fewer nonpermanent residents, and more deaths than births. Permanent immigration fell to 83,149 in the quarter, down from 104,210 a year earlier, while the number of nonpermanent residents fell by more than 117,000. Statistics Canada also reported that deaths outnumbered births by 155 in the first quarter, a sign that natural population growth was negative. The agency said the immigration changes line up with the federal government’s lower immigration targets, though future updates may revise some of the early estimates. Economists say the population trend is affecting Canada’s economy, including measures such as GDP. They noted that slower population growth can reduce the overall size of the economy even if perperson measures improve. The report also showed regional differences, with Alberta still growing while Ontario and British Columbia saw larger declines in temporary residents and other newcomers.