TORONTO – Canada’s population continues to decline. According to the latest Statistics Canada estimates, it fell by 0.1% in the first quarter of 2026, marking the third consecutive quarter of demographic decrease.
The agency estimates that as of April 1, 2026, Canada’s population stood at 41,417,056 people, a decrease of 55,025 residents compared to January 1. In the first quarter of 2026, Canada welcomed 83,149 permanent immigrants, a 20.2% decline compared to the same period in 2025, when arrivals totalled 104,210.
The figures are therefore aligning with the more restrictive targets set by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for 2026, after the federal government announced in November 2025 its intention to bring immigration “to sustainable levels,” reducing also the share of temporary residents to below 5% of the total population by the end of 2027, with the aim of easing pressure on infrastructure and supporting more sustainable population growth, according to government plans.
For this reason, targets for new temporary resident arrivals have been set at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028. These figures include new temporary workers and international students.
March 2026 estimates indicate that the country’s demographic growth remains well below the levels observed in the last quarters of 2023 and 2024. After peaking at 3,149,131 non-permanent residents on October 1, 2024, their number has steadily declined to 2,676,441 as of January 1, 2026. Updated figures for the second quarter of 2026 are expected in September.
To read the full Statistics Canada report, click here: Canada’s population estimates, first quarter 2026
