Statistics | Daily Hive | Urbanized — Canada’s population is 300,000 higher than previously thought

Canada has about 300,000 more residents than previously estimated, with revised figures overturning earlier indications that the country’s population was shrinking, according to a new analysis by Vancouver-based credit union Central 1.

Official response and confirmed impact

The revised picture shows continued, modest growth, although the financial institution warns that slow population gains will still weigh on consumer spending, housing demand, and the economy.

In an analysis in late September 2026, Central 1 chief economist Bryan Yu examined Statistics Canada’s updated population estimates, which put Canada’s population at nearly 41.8 million as of July 2026.

The country gained over 80,300 residents during the second quarter of 2026, representing an increase of 0.2 per cent.

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The province gained 6,914 residents between April and July 2026, following a loss of 2,649 during the first three months of this year.

Incident background

Compared to the previous year, the population grew by about 189,400 people or 0.5 per cent.

Its population reached approximately 5.71 million in July 2026, up by just 8,053 people or 0.1 per cent from a year earlier.