Highlights
A population estimate is a measure of the current or historical population at a particular point in time. These are the key highlights for the fourth quarter of 2024:
- Alberta maintained its position as the fastest growing province in Canada for the sixth consecutive quarter.
- While the pace of growth has slowed compared to previous periods, the province continues to see steady population gains.
- A significant portion of Alberta’s population increase is fueled by migration, both from international arrivals and from other parts of the country.
- For the tenth quarter in a row, Alberta led the country in interprovincial net migration gains.
- Recent federal policy changes, such as caps on international student permits and restrictions on temporary foreign worker permits, have contributed to a slowdown in non-permanent resident gains. Alberta led the country in net non-permanent resident inflows.
For more information and analysis, see the Fourth Quarter Population Report.
Detailed population tables
- Population estimates and components of growth and population by age and sex – Excel files, updated March 19, 2025
- Municipal (Census Subdivision) Population Estimates (2016 to 2024) – Excel files, updated January 16, 2025
- Components of Migration, Mobility – Alberta, 19 Census Divisions and 8 Economic Regions
- Vital statistics (births and deaths) – Alberta, 19 Census Divisions and 8 Economic Regions
Population change components
Population change is a result of the relationship between births, deaths and migration.
Definitions
- Natural increase – The difference between the number of births and deaths.
- Migration (net) – The difference between movements into a region and those out of a region.
- International migration (net) – This includes immigrants, emigrants, non-permanent residents (net), temporarily abroad (net) and returning migrants:
- Immigrants – permanent residents moving to Canada from other countries and landing in Alberta.
- Emigrants – people permanently leaving Canada
- Non-permanent residents (net) – in and out movements of foreign students, workers and refugee claimants, and the families of each of these categories
- Temporarily abroad (net) – movements of people who do not have a residence in Canada, but intend to return
- Returning migrants – former emigrants who have returned to Canada to live
- Interprovincial migration (net) – The movement between the provinces and territories of Canada, which equals 0 at the national level.
- Intraprovincial migration (net) – The movement within the province of Alberta, which equals 0 at the provincial level.
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Contact
General OSI enquiries
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Phone: 780-427-2071
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-426-3951
Email: osi.support@gov.ab.ca
Media enquiries
Contact the Treasury Board and Finance Spokesperson.