Canada’s population has declined for the first time in its history since Confederation, according to new estimates from Statistics Canada.
The data shows the country lost approximately 102,000 people in 2025, marking a historic shift after decades of steady population growth.
Drop driven by fewer temporary residents
The decline was largely driven by a sharp decrease in non-permanent residents, including international students and temporary workers.
Between October 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026, the number of non-permanent residents fell by more than 171,000 people.
At the same time, permanent immigration continued but at a slower pace. About 83,000 permanent residents were added in the final quarter of 2025 — a 20% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
Fewer births than deaths
Canada is also facing a long-term demographic trend: natural population decline.
In the final three months of 2025, there were more deaths than births, resulting in a net decrease of 781 people from natural growth.
For years, Canada’s population growth has depended almost entirely on immigration rather than birth rates.
Ontario still top destination
Despite the overall slowdown, Ontario remained the most popular destination for newcomers, attracting 42% of all immigrants in late 2025.
Meanwhile, Alberta continued to lead in interprovincial migration for the 14th straight quarter, drawing thousands of people from other parts of the country.
Policy shifts impacting numbers
The latest figures reflect changes in immigration policy by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which has begun reducing the number of temporary residents after years of rapid growth that peaked in 2024.
New arrivals of international students and temporary workers dropped by 28% between January 2025 and January 2026.
What it means going forward
StatCan cautions that these estimates may fluctuate in the coming months, especially as renewals for study and work permits could temporarily increase population figures.
Still, the data highlights a major shift in Canada’s demographic trends — raising concerns about labour supply, economic growth and long-term planning as the country adjusts to slower population growth.