Canada's population growth has slowed significantly in the second quarter of 2025, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The population increased by just 47,098 people, marking a growth rate of only 0.1 percent from April to July. This is the lowest second-quarter growth rate since 1946, excluding pandemic years.

The decline in growth is largely attributed to a decrease in the number of non-permanent residents. During this quarter, 58,719 non-permanent residents left Canada, the second-largest quarterly decline since 1971. The federal government implemented changes to immigration policies in 2024, which included limiting the number of temporary foreign workers and reducing the issuance of study permits. These measures were introduced in response to a housing and affordability crisis, which has led to growing public sentiment against immigration.

As a result of these changes, the number of temporary residents in Canada has dropped for three consecutive quarters. The total number of temporary residents fell from a peak of 3,149,131 in October 2024 to 3,024,216 by July 1, 2025. This reduction has decreased the ratio of temporary residents in the overall population from 7.6 percent to 7.3 percent, still above the 5 percent target set for 2027.

In the second quarter of 2025, the number of international students decreased by 32,025, while foreign workers dropped by 19,637. However, the addition of 17,901 refugees helped to offset some of these declines, with most refugees settling in Ontario and Quebec.

Alberta experienced the highest population growth among Canadian provinces, with an increase of 19,268 residents, or 0.4 percent. This marks the smallest single-quarter increase for Alberta since early 2022. The province's population now stands at 5,029,346. Despite the slowdown, Alberta's growth was driven by a net increase of 7,720 immigrants and a natural increase of 5,361, which accounts for births minus deaths.

Nationally, Canada’s median age rose from 40.3 years to 40.6 years, while the average age increased from 41.6 years to 41.8 years. The proportion of Canadians aged 65 and older reached 19.5 percent, with Newfoundland and Labrador having the highest percentage at 25.2 percent. The overall trend indicates that Canada is returning to its historical pattern of population aging, compounded by a declining fertility rate and increased life expectancy.