Canada’s population grew by just 0.0% in early 2025, marking the slowest pace since 2020, as immigration levels dipped and deaths outpaced births.
Population Sees Minimal Increase
Canada’s population grew by only 20,107 people from January 1 to April 1, 2025, marking an almost flat growth rate of 0.0%, according to new figures released by Statistics Canada. This marks the second-slowest growth rate ever recorded since data collection began in 1946, surpassed only by the decline seen during the third quarter of 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
National Total Reaches 41.5 Million
The latest data places Canada’s population at 41,548,787. The increase in the first quarter of 2025 was the smallest since the country experienced a rare contraction during the pandemic. A combination of reduced immigration intake and natural population decline—with 5,628 more deaths than births—has contributed to this historic stagnation.
Federal Immigration Policies Impacting Growth
This slowdown marks the sixth consecutive quarter of decelerating growth, aligning with the federal government’s 2024 decision to reduce temporary and permanent immigration levels. While 104,256 immigrants were admitted in Q1 2025, this was the lowest first-quarter total in four years. In contrast, net emigration—the difference between people leaving and entering—stood at 17,410.
Non-Permanent Residents See Major Drop
One of the most significant shifts came from a decline of 61,111 non-permanent residents, reflecting stricter caps on international students and temporary foreign workers. Although immigration still accounted for all of the country’s net growth, it was insufficient to offset broader demographic trends.
Government Justifies Adjustments
The 2025–27 Immigration Levels Plan, released last October by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, set new targets and included limitations on non-permanent categories. The government noted a need to “align immigration with community capacity” in response to post-pandemic housing and infrastructure strains, while still recognizing the essential role of newcomers in economic growth and labour support.
Long-Term Outlook Still Immigration-Driven
Despite the current lull, immigration remains Canada’s primary driver of population growth, with historical trends showing higher numbers than pre-2022 levels. Experts suggest the long-term trajectory remains dependent on how future policies balance economic needs with social capacity.
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