The population of British Columbia increased by 0.8% between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2013 – 0.4 percentage points lower than the national average of 1.2% – according to Statistics Canada data released September 26.
B.C.’s population is estimated at 4.58 million, up from 4.54 million a year ago. Canada’s population increased to 35.16 million from 34.75 million in 2012.
Alberta experienced the highest rate of growth, increasing 3.4% to 4.03 million, followed by Saskatchewan, up 1.9% to 1.08 million.
The high rate of growth in Alberta is related to both international and interprovincial migration.
The national increase is equal to the growth experienced between 2011 and 2012 and similar to the average annual gains over the past 30 years (1.1%).
