Canada’s non-permanent resident population is 2.2 million people

Edana Robitaille, Kareem El-Assal
Published: September 27, 2023

Statistics Canada has released new data on the number of NPRs.

Statistics Canada has just released a major report that changes how it counts Canada’s non-permanent residents (NPRs).

According to the latest population estimate, NPRs account for 2,198,679 people in Canada. A difference of over one million from Census 2021.

The report is significant because Statistics Canada acknowledges that it previously undercounted the country’s NPR population. The revised methodology has significant implications for Canadian public policy in a variety of areas, including immigration, economic and labour market planning and housing, among other important areas.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Canada's population now stands at nearly 40.1 million people

The latest data shows a 46% year-over-year increase in NPRs in Canada. The majority of growth comes from an increase in work and study permits. It is the highest growth in NPRs since records began being kept in 1971/72. 

The country's population was estimated at 40,097,761 on July 1, 2023, an increase of 1,158,705 people (+2.9%) from July 1, 2022 and nearly 100,000 more than the milestone of 40,000,000 reached in June 2023. 

This means Canada continues to lead G7 countries for population growth and is among the top 20 countries for population growth globally. The latest number shows the highest population growth rate recorded for a 12-month period since 1957 (+3.3%). Statistics Canada estimates that if the rate of population growth seen this past year remains constant in the future, it would lead to the Canadian population doubling in 25 years.

The report notes that close to 98% of the growth in the Canadian population from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, came from net international migration, with 2% coming from the difference between births and deaths.  

The large growth from international migration is due to nearly 470,000 new permanent resident landings, and an increase in the number of NPRs by almost 700,000 people. 

The number of NPRs holding a work permit was estimated at over 1.4 million people in July 2023, up 64% compared to the nearly 870,000 people in July 2022. Statistics Canada notes that much of this growth can be attributed to the arrival of Ukrainians following the invasion of their country by Russia. 

Fertility rates in Canada reached record-low levels in 2022, with 1.33 children per woman, compared with 1.44 in 2021. Another recent report by Statistics Canada found that between 2018 and 2022, Canadian women had 20,000 fewer babies.

Statistics Canada’s revised approach to counting non-permanent residents 

Statistics Canada constantly revises its demographic estimates to provide the most accurate numbers as possible. It now includes family members living with temporary permit holders in Canada. In addition, it has adjusted its methodology to better count those still in Canada after their temporary permit expires, but who are waiting for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to review their extension application. 

The Statistics Canada update comes following recent reports by CIBC Economics and the C.D. Howe Institute that found both the Statistics Canada annual census and the quarterly estimate of population growth were significantly undercounting NPRs such as students, temporary foreign workers, and temporary residents (TR).

CIBC estimated there could be as many as one million NPRs not accounted for in Canada’s population. It also noted that data from the 2021 census suggests that there were just under 925,000 NPRs in Canada, while the quarterly estimate suggested the count was 1.17 million.

Alberta grew the most 

Alberta experienced the fasted demographic growth among all of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, increasing by 4%. This growth is largely thanks to international migration and the increase in people from other parts of Canada moving to the province. Alberta led Canada with over 56,000 more people moving to the province than leaving it between July 2022 and July 2023.  

Statistics Canada notes that seven provinces also experienced record population growth: Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. 

Prince Edward Island (3.9%), Nova Scotia (3.2%), and New Brunswick (3.1%) all enjoyed strong population growth, while Newfoundland and Labrador (1.3%) had the lowest growth among all the provinces. 

Ontario and British Columbia grew by 3% each, while Manitoba (2.9%) and Saskatchewan (2.6%) came close behind. 

Quebec also experienced a record-high population growth of 2.3%. 

Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026

Under Canadian law, the federal government is required to announce its immigration plan by November 1st during non-election years. As such, we will learn about Canada's new permanent residence targets by early November. Under the current Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, Canada is looking to welcome 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2025. The federal immigration minister Marc Miller recently said he expects Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 targets to either remain in line with the current plan, or be revised higher.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

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
December 2024: State of the Express Entry pool
A group of people on the sky bridge located in Jasper, Alberta.
IRCC invites Express Entry candidates in first French-language draw of December
A picture of Montreal's Old Port on a sunny autumn day.
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and PEI select candidates
A picture of the British Columbia coast on a fall day
ANALYSIS: How many Express Entry ITAs can we expect to see in December?
A young woman crosses her fingers in anticipation and hope that she may receive some good news.
Top Stories
Are you eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner for Canadian immigration?
Report identifies occupations set for salary increases in Canada in 2025
How to prepare for your Canadian citizenship test
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Citizenship
How to prepare for your Canadian citizenship test
A young woman sits at a table with books and a laptop.
How can I apply for Canadian citizenship?
A picture of a girl holding two Canadian flags
Here’s what you can expect during your virtual citizenship ceremony in Canada
A woman in a red blazer smiles while sitting in front of a laptop.
What’s the difference between Canadian permanent residency and Canadian citizenship?
A person with a packed bag stands on a road with the Canadian flag in front of them.
Link copied to clipboard