Nunavut’s population could reach 54,000 by 2043, StatCan says

Proportion of seniors expected to double

This graph shows Nunavut’s population growth trend from 1994 to 2043. (StatCan)

By Nunatsiaq News

Though Nunavut is expected to receive only small numbers of international immigrants over the next 25 years, the territory’s high birth rate could drive the territory’s population up to 54,000 by 2043, Statistics Canada says in a new report.

That’s also in spite of a projected future in which more people are likely to migrate out of Nunavut than migrate into the territory.

But because of Nunavut’s healthy “natural increase,” or high birth rate, the territory’s population will still grow.

Twenty-five years ago, the population of the three Nunavut regions stood at 24,400 and in 2018 was estimated at around 38,400. If current trends continue, that figure is projected to swell to around 54,000 in 25 years from 2018.

“Fertility is the key driver of population growth in Nunavut, as its population would continue to increase despite losses in migration exchanges with the rest of Canada and almost no gains from international migration,” StatCan said in its report, published Sept. 17.

That stands in contrast with most of the rest of Canada, where international immigration, not fertility, will continue to increase the country’s population.

“While the populations of many developed countries are expected to decrease, Canada’s population is projected to grow over the next 50 years, largely because of strong immigration,” StatCan said.

In 2018, the country’s population stood at 37.1 million. But by 2068, a medium growth scenario shows the country’s population could reach 55 million, StatCan said.

And in a “high growth” projection, that figure could reach 77 million.

“In all scenarios, immigration would remain the key driver of population growth over the next 50 years, as has been the case since the early 1990s,” the agency said.

And in all scenarios, Alberta and Ontario, the two fastest growing provinces, would account for more than half of Canada’s population growth.

As for the territories, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories are still projected to have the youngest populations in Canada.

Right now, Nunavut’s median age is only 26.1 years. That means half the population is younger than 26.1 years, and half the population is older. Canada’s national median age, meanwhile, is 40.8 years.

By 2043, the projected median age for Nunavut could fall to 25.6 years, StatCan said.

At the same time, however, the proportion of elders in Nunavut’s population is expected to double.

In Nunavut, the proportion of seniors aged 65 and older could reach 9.4 per cent of the population.

Compared with the rest of the country, that’s still low. Across Canada, the proportion of seniors could reach between 21 and 29 per cent of the total population of the country.

“This transition could affect Canadian society in various ways, placing additional pressure on pension and health care systems and decreasing the share of the working-age population,” StatCan said.

Share This Story

(2) Comments:

  1. Posted by Mother of us all on

    The graph shows Nunavut population essentially as a straight line from 1994 to 2018. It then shows Nunavut’s future population to 2043 as one of several straight lines.
    The only difference in any of the projections is a slight change in slope this year.

    If you were to extend the 1994 to 2018 line back in time you would find that, about 150 years ago there was exactly 1 person in Nunavut. She was mother of us all. If you extended the line back 20 years further you would find that no one lived in Nunavut.

    StatsCan used to employ intelligent people.

    • Posted by Oh yea on

      Not sure if you’ve seen many graphs before but, have to wonder if all lines unbendable to you? You know, like made with rulers and stuff like that?

Comments are closed.