Canada’s prairie provinces continue to lead the nation when it comes to population growth.
Figures released last week by Statistics Canada show that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba led all Canadian provinces in terms of population growth during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2012.
Alberta’s population as of July 1 was estimated at 3,873,700, an increase of 2.5 percent or 95,700 people from the previous year.
Saskatchewan’s population grew by 22,154 people to 1,079,958, an increase of 2.1 percent.
Manitoba’s population grew by 1.2 percent or 15,300 to 1,267,000.
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Canada’s total population was estimated at 34,880,500, up 1.1 percent from last year.
The Prairies had growth rates higher than the national average.
The figures also suggested that the median age of people living in the prairie provinces is among the lowest in the country.
The median age of Canada’s population is 40 years.
Among the provinces, the lowest median ages are Alberta’s at 36.1 years, Saskatchewan’s at 37.1 and Manitoba’s at 37.6.
Provincial population growth is influenced by a variety of factors including births, deaths, international migration and net interprovincial migration.
For the 12-month period ending July 1, Saskatchewan and Alberta were the only two provinces to record a net increase through interprovincial migration.
Alberta registered a net gain of 28,200 people and Saskatchewan registered a net gain 2,800 people.
Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and Quebec registered the largest net losses through interprovincial migration.
Interprovincial movements cost Ontario an estimated 8,091 residents, followed by Manitoba at 4,675, British Columbia at 4,648 and Quebec at 3,886.
In the past 30 years, the population of Western Canada has grown by 49 percent, compared to 4.4 percent in Atlantic Canada.
Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall said Saskatchewan’s growth is a testament to the province’s strong economy.
“Gone are the days when more people were moving out of Saskatchewan than moving in,” Wall said.
Population growth is exceeding the province’s goal of adding 100,000 people in 10 years, he said.
Between 2007 and 2012, Saskatchewan’s population grew by nearly 80,000 people.
