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TL;DR

Statistics Canada says the country’s population grew by 189,425 in the year ending July 1, 2026, reaching 41,798,407. This 0.5% increase is the slowest annual growth since 1915–1916.

This was the smallest yearly increase in population since 1944–45. Annual growth fell from 2.8% in 2023–24 to 1.1% in 2024–25, and now to 0.5% in 2025–26.

Statistics Canada explained, “The rapid changes in the population growth rate since 2020 are almost entirely attributable to changes in international migration.”

On July 1, Canada had about 2,779,774 non-permanent residents, which is 6.7% of the population. That’s 154,614 fewer than last year and below the October 2024 peak of 2,984,285.

There hasn’t been a bigger year-over-year drop in a July-to-July comparison since records began in 1971–72. Statistics Canada counted 140,827 fewer study permit holders and 81,163 fewer people with both work and study permits. These groups are counted separately.

This decline also changed Canada’s age profile. The number of people in their 20s dropped by 154,973, or 2.8%, which the agency linked to fewer study permit holders. New international student arrivals were already down 37% year over year in January 2026.

Canada welcomed 368,224 new immigrants from July to July, marking the fourth straight yearly decline and the first time the total has dropped below 400,000 since 2021–22.

The federal 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets the 2026 target for new temporary residents at 385,000, down from the previous plan’s 516,600. The government wants to bring temporary residents below 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2027.

Permanent resident admissions are set at 380,000 each year through 2028. These yearly targets can’t be directly compared with Statistics Canada’s July-to-July immigrant count.

Population growth varied across provinces. Alberta led with 1.5%, while British Columbia grew by 0.1%. Ontario increased by 0.3%, and Quebec by 0.2%.

Slower population growth means current immigration statuses and permits stay the same. However, federal limits on new temporary arrivals are changing the number and age of people living in Canada.

If you plan to study or work in Canada, look at the separate arrival numbers for international students and temporary workers instead of just the national population figure. Permanent immigration is on a different track, with admissions set at 380,000 each year. Employers and newcomers should also expect different conditions in each province, as Alberta is growing faster than Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.