Record immigration drives Nova Scotia’s population to all-time high

Shelby Thevenot
Published: December 27, 2019

Nova Scotia is seeing record-breaking population growth thanks to immigrants and interprovincial migrants.

Statistics Canada estimates show the Atlantic Province’s population grew by 12,339 residents between October 1, 2018, and October 1, 2019. This includes 7,165 immigrants who came to Nova Scotia during this 12-month stretch.

This growth of 1.28 per cent is the province’s fastest population increase over a 12-month period since 1972 and pushed Nova Scotia’s population to a record 976,768 as of October 1, 2019.

Population growth between July 1 and October 1, 2019, also set a new record for a three-month stretch.

The third quarter of 2019 saw Nova Scotia’s population grow by 5,373 people, of which immigrants accounted for 2,471.

The Government of Nova Scotia said this was the highest immigration for a quarter based on records dating back to the Second World War.

Interprovincial migrants accounted for 1,090 new residents to Nova Scotia. The government said this is the 16th consecutive quarter of positive net interprovincial migration.

“These population numbers illustrate the positive impact immigration is having in our province,” Nova Scotia’s Immigration Minister, Lena Metlege Diab, said in a news release.

“Immigration is a priority and is key to filling persistent labour needs and increasing our population.”

The province’s natural growth, which is the difference between the number of births and deaths in the province, has been on a downward trend since 2016.

On the contrary immigration and interprovincial migration have grown in the same time period, according to Statistics Canada data.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

© 2019 CIC News All Rights Reserved

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Are new Canadians leaving Canada for greener pastures? Study says no
A young family holds Canadian flags
New report shows downtrend of US temporary foreign workers in Canada
Five smiling workers around a table in an office environment, with two giving each other high-fives
Canada ranked happiest country in the G7
Two people sit atop a mountain view overlooking a river and small forrest below.
Canada’s temporary resident population contracts as overall population growth slows
A view of Vancouver city from atop a hill.
Top Stories
Ontario changes intake for Employer: Job Offer streams
Live Webinar: Starting Your Immigration Journey in 2025
Travelling to Canada this summer? What you need to know about inadmissibility
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Visit
Travelling to Canada this summer? What you need to know about inadmissibility
A young woman in an airport.
Visitor visa refusals for Canada are on the rise. Here’s how you can avoid them
A man's hand holding a passport, a map and a suitcase.
9 tips to reduce the risk of refusal of your Canada visitor visa
A man looks at his passport and flight ticket in an airport
Canada-US to change border crossing hours at multiple ports of entry in 2025
Cars on the road ahead of a border crossing
Link copied to clipboard