Canada’s population experienced a slight increase in 2025, according to Statistics Canada. This update corrects a prior estimate that had indicated a decrease in population, marking the first such decline in the nation’s history.
The recent data released by the statistics agency reveals a modest growth of 280,810 individuals throughout the entirety of 2025. This new calculation contrasts with the earlier figures from March, which had suggested a net reduction in residents annually for the first time since Confederation.
A spokesperson from Statistics Canada clarified that the initial estimates were preliminary and cautioned about potential adjustments due to forthcoming updates and the availability of more comprehensive administrative data. The agency highlighted in March that the initial figures should be approached with care, noting that extensions for work and study permits could lead to substantial updates in the future.
As of July 1, Statistics Canada approximates Canada’s population to be 41,798,407.
Despite the revision indicating a growth in population, StatsCan points out a notable slowdown in the overall rate of population increase. The previous government led by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had scaled back both permanent and temporary immigration following a surge in labor demand post-pandemic.
Before Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tenure, the Liberal administration had already initiated measures to decrease the proportion of temporary residents within Canada’s population. Carney’s inaugural budget outlined reduced targets for temporary residents, with only 385,000 anticipated for admission in 2026 — a 43% drop from the 2025 objective — and further reductions to 370,000 in 2027 and 2028.
Moreover, the budget stipulated that the federal government would restrict the intake of new permanent residents to 380,000 annually between 2026 and 2028.