Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

Canada saw record population growth in 2022, with immigration accounting for 95.9% of the growth. This is the first time in the country's history that its population has grown by more than one million people in a 12-month period. The total population reached 39,566,248 million on January 1, 2.7% higher than a year prior. The number of immigrants arriving in Canada reached a record 437,180 in 2022, and increased immigration is related to efforts by the Government of Canada to ease labour shortages in key sectors of the economy. Canada ranks highest on Gallup's Migrant Acceptance Index, and Gallup data released December 7 last year found that Canadians are consistently among the most likely in the world to see their communities as good places for migrants to live.

However, Statistics Canada raises potential future challenges should the 2022 trend continue, such as housing, infrastructure and transportation, and service delivery to the population. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing pressure from political opponents over migration levels, due to a sharp increase of people crossing into Canada from the US. In January, Canadian authorities encountered nearly 5,000 asylum seekers crossing unlawfully, according to government data.