The population growth rate in 2023 was the highest since 1957, according to Statistics Canada.

Canada’s population experienced rapid growth in 2023, reaching 40,769,890 by Jan. 1, 2024, with a growth rate of 3.2 percent. This is the highest rate since 1957 when it grew 3.3 percent, as reported by Statistics Canada on March 27.

Frédéric Payeur, a demographer at Quebec’s provincial statistics agency, noted that growth rates exceeding 3 percent have not been observed in developed countries since the 1950s. The migration-driven increase in Canada is comparable to historical events in other countries like Israel in the 1960s and Ireland in 2006 and 2007.

Quebec, where the population grew by 2.5 percent, saw significant growth in absolute numbers, particularly when compared to historical data. The province experienced similar growth in 1957 due to the baby boom and migration related to events in Hungary, including the arrival of over 37,000 Hungarian refugees.

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Immigration played a significant role in Canada’s overall population growth, with 97.6 percent of the increase attributed to immigrants. Temporary residents, mostly foreign workers, increased by 804,901, contributing to a total population growth of 1,271,872 across Canada.

In Quebec, where immigration accounted for almost 100 percent of the growth, the province added 218,000 new residents. Alberta and Prince Edward Island experienced the most significant population growth in 2023, followed by Ontario which saw an increase of 3.4 percent.

Despite losing residents to other provinces, Alberta gained 55,107 people, the largest gain since 1972. Quebec reported more births than deaths, with significant growth from new arrivals, including temporary foreign workers, asylum seekers, and international students.

Quebec has seen a record increase in temporary residents for the second consecutive year, currently housing around 560,000 temporary residents out of almost nine million people.