(DDM) – Canada has recorded a historic population decline in 2025, marking the first time in more than 150 years that the country’s population has dropped since official records began in 1867.
Preliminary figures released by Statistics Canada revealed that the country’s population fell by 102,436 people, representing a 0.2 percent decrease between January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
The data indicates that the decline was largely driven by a sharp reduction in the number of non-permanent residents, including international students and temporary foreign workers.
Statistics Canada explained that the fall in population was caused by significant declines recorded in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.
According to the agency, Canada lost 76,068 people in the third quarter and 103,504 people in the fourth quarter of the year.
Although the country recorded a population increase of 77,136 people during the first half of 2025, it was not sufficient to offset the much larger losses experienced in the second half of the year.
Officials at Statistics Canada told Canadian broadcaster CBC News that this was the first time the country had experienced an annual population decline since modern population records began.
Canada officially became a confederation in 1867, the year considered the starting point of the country’s modern population data.
Despite the decline, Canada’s population as of January 1, 2026 is still estimated to be about 41.5 million people.
However, statisticians cautioned that the data should be interpreted carefully because future updates could adjust the figures.
They explained that the recent increase in extensions for work and study permits could result in revised estimates in the coming months.
The most significant factor behind the population decline was a steep drop in the number of temporary residents living in Canada.
These temporary residents include international students, foreign workers and individuals holding both study and work permits.
In the final quarter of 2025 alone, the number of non-permanent residents in Canada declined by 171,296 people.
Earlier data had shown that the number of non-permanent residents reached 3,149,131 on October 1, 2024.
By January 1, 2026, the figure had dropped significantly to 2,676,441, reflecting a major shift in migration patterns.
Statistics Canada attributed the decline primarily to reductions among people holding study permits, work permits or a combination of both.
The decrease is closely linked to recent changes in Canada’s immigration and international student policies.
Over the past year, Canadian authorities introduced stricter measures aimed at managing the rapid growth in the number of temporary residents entering the country.
Immigration data also shows a significant drop in the number of permanent immigrants admitted to Canada in 2025.
According to figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the country admitted 393,530 permanent immigrants in 2025.
This represents a 19 percent decline compared with 483,655 immigrants admitted in 2024.
A large portion of the decrease was linked to falling immigration numbers from India, which has historically been the largest source of both international students and temporary workers in Canada.
Immigration statistics show that the number of Indian immigrants granted permanent residence dropped from 127,375 in 2024 to 98,770 in 2025.
India had previously seen a rapid rise in migration to Canada over the past several years.
For instance, the number of Indian permanent residents increased dramatically from 42,875 in 2020 to 139,790 in 2023, before declining again in 2025.
The number of study permits issued by Canadian authorities also dropped sharply.
In total, study permits issued fell by nearly 25 percent, representing a decrease of 131,010 permits.
Indian students accounted for the largest share of that decline.
Data shows that the number of study permits issued to Indian students dropped from 188,175 in 2024 to 94,605 in 2025.
This means Indian students accounted for about 72 percent of the overall drop in study permits issued during the period.
International education experts say the change reflects new immigration policies introduced by Canada to address housing shortages and pressure on public services.
In recent years, the country experienced a rapid surge in the number of temporary residents, particularly international students.
While immigration has historically been a key driver of Canada’s population growth and economic development, authorities are now attempting to balance growth with infrastructure capacity.
Demographers say the population decline could have implications for Canada’s labour market and long-term economic planning.
Canada has traditionally relied heavily on immigration to sustain population growth and support its workforce as the country’s population ages.
For decades, immigration has helped offset low birth rates and maintain a steady supply of skilled workers.
The recent decline therefore marks a significant moment in Canada’s demographic history.
Experts say future population trends will largely depend on how immigration policies evolve in the coming years.
Government officials have indicated that adjustments to temporary resident programs may continue as Canada attempts to stabilise population growth while addressing economic and social challenges.
