Released on June 21, 2012
Most Growth in Saskatchewan in More Than 80 Years
Saskatchewan's population grew by 19,642 people between April 1, 2011 and April 1, 2012 - the most growth in any one-year period since 1930.
New population estimates released today by Statistics Canada show Saskatchewan grew by 4,470 people in the first quarter of 2012 (January 1 to April 1, 2012). Saskatchewan's annual and quarterly growth rates of 1.87 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively are both the second-highest among the provinces, behind only Alberta. There were 1,072,082 people living in Saskatchewan on April 1, 2012.
Economy Minister Bill Boyd said Saskatchewan continues to benefit from a strong and growing economy.
"Saskatchewan's economy is firing on all cylinders and that means our province is growing at its fastest pace in more than 80 years," Boyd said. "Our government is committed to ensuring that this growth continues and to meeting the challenges and opportunities of a growing province."
Saskatchewan's strong growth in the first quarter of 2012 was driven by immigration, with net international in-migration (number of people moving in minus people moving out) of 3,436. Saskatchewan also saw a natural increase (birth minus deaths) of 1,043 and a very small net interprovincial out-migration of nine people.
Saskatchewan has grown by more than 75,000 people in the past five years.
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For more information, contact:
James Parker
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1321
Email: james.parker@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-5492