Canada’s Population Growth Hits Slowest Pace Since WWII

Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War.

According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million.

The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents.

Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia — the country’s three largest provinces — all recorded population growth below the national rate of 0.5 per cent. Among the three, B.C. posted the slowest growth at just 0.1 per cent.

The agency attributed the slower growth primarily to a decline in the number of international migrants compared with previous years.