Statistics Canada says, because of COVID-19, Canada has experienced the lowest population growth rate since 1916. In 2020, the population increased by 149,461 to reach 38,048,738.it was the lowest growth in number since 1945 and in per cent since 1916. In both of those periods, Canada was at war.
Last year, deaths in Canada surpassed 300 thousands at 309,893. It’s the first time in History. About five per cent of the deaths were caused by COVID-19. That’s lower than the UK, the US, and France but higher than Australia and New Zealand.
The number of deaths was lower than the number of births allowing for a natural increase nearly 63 thousand.
Stats Canada says the main source of lower population came from changes to international migration. Border and travel restrictions led to population increase through immigration to drop by more than 80 per cent.
In terms of people moving between provinces, Saskatchewan had the largest net loss to other places in Canada for the third straight year. Despite that, the population in Saskatchewan remained stable in 2020.