Released on December 22, 2010
Population Now At All-Time High of 1,049,701 - Up Nearly 16,000 In Past Year
Saskatchewan continues to be the fastest growing province in Canada as the population grew by 1.53 per cent in the past year. Saskatchewan's growth rate is slightly ahead of BC's rate of 1.5 per cent.
On October 1, 2010, there were 1,049,701 people living in Saskatchewan, an increase of 4,079 in the past quarter and 15,855 in the past year. Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said the sustained population growth is a clear sign of the continuing strength of the Saskatchewan economy.
"In the past three and a half years, Saskatchewan has grown by over 50,000 people," Norris said. "You have to go back decades to find that kind of sustained growth in our province."
Norris said Saskatchewan is ending 2010 on a high note and the province can look forward to an even stronger year in 2011.
"Last week, RBC forecast that Saskatchewan will lead the country with an economic growth rate of 5.3 per cent in 2011," Norris said. "They also said employment in Saskatchewan will grow by more than two per cent, which means about 10,000 new jobs for Saskatchewan people. That kind of strong job growth will keep more of our young people in Saskatchewan and will attract more people from elsewhere to move to Saskatchewan.
"The old Saskatchewan was the place to be from. The new Saskatchewan is the place to be," Norris said.
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For more information, contact:
Marieka Barrie
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170