Canada's Population Growth Expected to Stall in 2026 Due to Decline in Non-Permanent Residents

Canada's population is projected to remain flat in 2026 due to a sharp decline in non-permanent residents (NPRs), including international students, temporary workers, asylum seekers, and visitors. The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) expects NPR numbers, which peaked at 7.6% of the population in 2024, to fall below 5% by 2027, aligning with government targets. Population growth is forecast to modestly increase to 0.3% in 2027 and stabilize around 0.8% annually, below the pre-2015 average of 1.1%, with recent growth driven mainly by immigration.