Canada’s annual population growth slows to lowest since 1944–45

Canada’s population reached an estimated 41,798,407 on July 1, 2026, but its pace of growth slowed sharply, according to new preliminary Statistics Canada estimates.

The population increased by 189,425 people, or 0.5%, from July 1, 2025. Statistics Canada said that was the smallest July-to-July increase in the number of people since 1944–45 and the lowest percentage growth since 1915–16.

Growth during the second quarter was 80,343 people, or 0.2%, the lowest second-quarter rate since 2020. The agency said changes in international migration explain most of the rapid shift in growth since 2020.

Canada is also aging again. The median age reached 40.9 years and the average age was 42.1 years on July 1. People aged 65 and older made up 20% of the population, while those aged 14 and younger accounted for 15%.

Québec’s median age was 43.1 years. People aged 65 and older represented 22.3% of the province’s population, compared with 15.1% for children aged 14 and younger.

The estimates are preliminary and include revised methods for measuring non-permanent residents. They are separate from the 2026 Census population counts scheduled for release in February 2027.

Source: Statistics Canada, September 23, 2026.

Illustrative file photo of pedestrians in Toronto: Matt Quinn via Unsplash, under the Unsplash License. Resized; not a depiction of the population estimate.