Statistics Canada projected population growth of 21 million in the future. The reports claim that the country could welcome a massive 63 million individuals by 2073. Additionally, the data between 2023 and 2073 claims that Canada’s population could range between 47.1 and 87.2 million people in the upcoming 50 years. These are among the major projection scenarios revealed by Statistics Canada. However, it does make it clear that the projections are in no way predictions. These projections are only a consequence of recent patterns as well as the suggestions of population experts. These experts had been particularly contacted to display their forecasts.
The anticipation of 63 million results from Statistics Canada’s medium growth scenario.

The structure of Canada’s population growth

The projected growth of nearly 21 million in the next 50 years is despite Canada’s aging population. Reportedly, the Canadian population has exceeded 41 million in less than a year after reaching a record-level growth with 40 million people, and the credit primarily goes to immigration.

More updates claim that by 2073, older people (65 years or older) in Canada contribute between 21.9 percent and 32.3 percent of the overall population.

At the same time, the percentage of children between 0 and 14 years old in Canada’s population will likely decline by 2073. This is especially true per the majority of Statistics Canada projections, including the M1 scenario that generated 63 million.

Overall, given the projected rise in older residents and the decline in children across Canada, the median age would be between 42.6 and 50.1 years in 2073. This would raise the average age to 41.6 years in 2023.

The existing hurdles for the Canadian population

The report also brought certain issues to the forefront, such as fertility which has stooped to a really low level in 2022. In addition, it emphasized the decline of life expectancy for three consecutive years between 2020 and 2022.

According to Statistics Canada, several factors including the Canadian aging population, declined fertility rate and life expectancy might justify the reason behind Canada’s yearly population growth rate which will likely decline by 0.33 percent in the next 50 years. The decline is compared to the median of 1.12 percent in the previous 30 years to 0.79 percent in 2072 and 2073. All this data comes from the M1 projections.

This implies that even the recent increase in Canada’s population will actively work against two strong patterns reducing the population. The reduced life expectancy leads to a decline in population at a higher level. In addition, a reduced fertility rate implies that Canada will not be able to produce new individuals essential in the population via domestic births that further need a fertility rate of 2.1 births per woman.

Another crucial factor is Canada’s natural population which is turning into an aging population. The older population in Canada can eventually burden its social system, including healthcare.

This is due to the system placing a significant burden on the Canadian working population and not reducing costs to individuals. Taxes are the biggest example.

As the population ages, healthcare expenses arise, and the workforce contributing to these costs diminishes as fewer young individuals join and support Canada’s labor force.

Statistics Canada projected population growth of 21 million with immigration as the chief strategy

Canada fights all the above patterns through a chief strategy called immigration. Immigration contributes to almost 100 percent of Canadian labor growth and is vital to filling labor shortage gaps in critical sectors. It provides Canada with young individuals who will balance the demographic needs of the country’s population. In fact, the median age of the Canadian population recently declined for the first time in 65 years due to immigration. It fell from 40.9 to 40.6.

Most significantly, immigration is not a one-time solution. Statistics Canada claims that the effect of receiving a rising number of immigrants between 2022 and 2023 on the decrease in the median ages is not permanent. Recent reports by Statistics Canada also claim that a steady welcoming of new immigrants each year is crucial to the Canadian economy, quality of life, and demography.

Furthermore, immigrants will only benefit from this requirement. Newcomers, including both permanent and temporary residents not only experience a better quality of life in a multicultural and immigrant-welcoming society but also tend to earn better than Canadian citizens in their mid-twenties. However, it will also depend on the duration of time they have spent in Canada.

Do you have any general queries or concerns regarding Canadian immigration? Let our expert guides at NavaImmigration help you get all the answers. We are just a call away; stay connected at 1800-918-8490 or email your concerns to [email protected].