In 2023, Canada experienced the fastest population growth in 66 years.
Statistics Canada announced on Wednesday that Canada’s population reached a record 40.77 million in 2023, mainly due to temporary migration. The country added 1.27 million people to its population in 2023, which is 3.2% more than the previous year, marking the highest growth since 1957.
Widespread immigration has led to a housing shortage, increased home prices, and reduced purchasing power for people, all of which are seen as detrimental to the popularity of Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister. According to economists and the Bank of Canada, population growth has also resulted in a decrease in per capita GDP and productivity levels in the country.
Statistics Canada stated in a release that in 2023, the majority, 97.6%, of Canada’s population growth was due to international migration, including both permanent and temporary migration, with the remaining 2.4% resulting from births.
The report added that this was the second consecutive year where temporary migration was the driver of population growth, and the third consecutive year where there was an increase in net non-permanent residents.
