Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Canada's Population Drops 0.2% in 2025
Canada's population went down a little bit in 2025.
This happened because fewer international students and temporary workers came to Canada.
The government made rules that made it harder for people to get study permits and work permits.
Most places in Canada saw fewer people, but two places, Alberta and Nunavut, actually had a small increase.
The last time Canada's population went down was in 2020 because of COVID-19.
The government is trying to control how many temporary residents come to Canada, which is why there are fewer international students and workers now.
Some people think these rules are good because they help control the population, but others think they are too strict and could hurt the economy.
Canada's population decreased by 0.2% from July 1 to October 1, 2025, to 41,575,585.
Ontario and British Columbia saw the largest population decreases (-0.4% and -0.3% respectively).
Alberta and Nunavut were the only regions with population increases (+0.2%).
The decline was attributed to a drop in non-permanent residents, particularly international students and temporary workers.
Government policies, including a 10% limit on low-wage hiring and reforms to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP), contributed to the decline.
- Who
- Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- What
- Population decline of 0.2% from July 1 to October 1, 2025, and a 48% decrease in temporary workers
- When
- Third quarter of 2025
- Where
- Canada, with largest decreases in Ontario and British Columbia
- Why
- Drop in non-permanent residents, particularly international students, due to government policy changes, including a 10% limit on low-wage hiring and reforms to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP)
Government Policies
Immigration Advocates
Policy Impact
Government Policies
The government believes these policies are necessary to control population growth and align immigration with labor market needs.
Immigration Advocates
Immigration advocates argue that these policies are too restrictive and could harm Canada's economy and cultural diversity.
- Population Change
- 0.2% decrease
- Population on October 1, 2025
- 41,575,585
- Population on July 1, 2025
- 41,650,000
- Largest Decreases
- Ontario (-0.4%), British Columbia (-0.3%)
- Only Gains
- Alberta and Nunavut (+0.2%)
- Last Decline
- 2020 (due to COVID-19)
- Cause of Decline
- Drop in non-permanent residents, especially international students
- Policy Changes
- Reduction in study permits, stricter eligibility requirements
- Temporary Workers Decline
- 48% decrease from January to October 2025
- Low-Wage Hiring Limit
- 10% limit (20% in certain in-demand sectors)
- PGWP Reforms
- Tightened eligibility requirements
- Spouse Work Permits
- Limited eligibility for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers
