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Population estimates based on the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 2021 as delineated in the 2021 Census.

A census metropolitan area (CMA) or a census agglomeration (CA) is formed by one or more adjacent municipalities centred on a population centre (known as the core). A CMA must have a total population of at least 100,000, based on data from the current Census of Population Program, of which 50,000 or more must live in the core based on adjusted data from the previous Census of Population Program. A CA must have a core population of at least 10,000 also based on data from the previous Census of Population Program. To be included in the CMA or CA, other adjacent municipalities must have a high degree of integration with the core, as measured by commuting flows derived from data on place of work from the previous Census Program. If the population of the core of a CA falls below 10,000, the CA is retired from the next census. However, once an area becomes a CMA, it is retained as a CMA even if its total population declines below 100,000 or the population of its core falls below 50,000. All areas inside the CMA or CA that are not population centres are rural areas. When a CA has a core of at least 50,000, based on data from the previous Census of Population, it is subdivided into census tracts. Census tracts are maintained for the CA even if the population of the core subsequently falls below 50,000. All CMAs are subdivided into census tracts (2021 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 98-301-X2021001).

An area outside census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations is made up of all areas (within a province or territory) unallocated to a census metropolitan area (CMA) or census agglomeration (CA).

The population growth, which is used to calculate population estimates of census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations (table 17100148), is comprised of the components of population growth (table 17100149).

This table replaces table 17100136.

For periods preceding 2005/2006, the components of population growth for all census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs) were calculated using information at the census division level (CDs) using the geographic conversion method. This method involves using the population component calculated at the level of the CD(s) in which the CMA or CA is located and applying a ratio corresponding to the proportion of the CMA or CA population included in the corresponding CD(s). The same method was used to calculate the emigration and internal migration components for periods preceding 2011/2012 for all areas that were not CMAs according to the 2011 Standard Geographical Classification, as well as the components of population growth for periods that predate the creation of any given census agglomerations. Historical trends should be interpreted with caution where the method of geographic conversion was used.

Period from July 1 to June 30.

Age on July 1.

The estimates for births are final up to 2020/2021, updated for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, and preliminary for 2023/2024. Preliminary and updated estimates of births were produced by the Centre for Demography at Statistics Canada (see definitions, data sources and methods, record numbers 3601 (opens new window) and 3608 (opens new window)), with the exception of Quebec's data, which are taken from the estimates of "l'Institut de la statistique du Québec" (ISQ) and then adjusted to Statistics Canada's provincial estimates. Final data were produced by the Centre for Population Health Data at Statistics Canada (see definitions, data sources and methods, record number 3231 (opens new window)). However, before 2011, the final estimates included in this table may differ from the data released by the Centre for Population Health Data, due to the imputation of certain unknown values (province, territory or gender).

The estimates for deaths are final up to 2020/2021, updated for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, and preliminary for 2023/2024. Preliminary and updated estimates of deaths were produced by the Centre for Demography at Statistics Canada (see definitions, data sources and methods, record numbers 3601 (opens new window) and 3608 (opens new window)), with the exception of Quebec's data, which are taken from the estimates of "l'Institut de la statistique du Québec" (ISQ) and then adjusted to Statistics Canada's provincial estimates. Final data were produced by the Centre for Population Health Data at Statistics Canada (see definitions, data sources and methods, record number 3233 (opens new window)). However, before 2011, the final estimates may differ from the data released by the Centre for Population Health data due to the imputation of certain unknown values. In addition, for estimates of deaths, the age represents age at the beginning of the period (July 1st) and not the age at the time of occurrence, as with the data from the Centre for Population Health Data.

The estimates for immigrants are final up to 2022/2023 and preliminary for 2023/2024.

The estimates for net emigration are final up to 2021/2022, updated for 2022/2023 and preliminary for 2023/2024.

Net emigration is obtained as follows: Emigrants - Returning emigrants. For estimates from 2001/2002 to 2015/2016, net emigration is obtained as follows: Emigrants + Net temporary emigration - Returning emigrants.

The estimates for emigrants are final up to 2021/2022, updated for 2022/2023 and preliminary for 2023/2024.

Please note that due to the methodology used for the estimates of emigrants and returning emigrants, the estimates for the most recent periods are expected to be identical or very similar.

The estimated numbers of emigrants and returning emigrants have been revised going back to July 2016. Before this date, short-term emigrants and short-term returning emigrants were included in the “net temporary emigration” component. After this date, they are included in the emigrant and returning emigrant components, using a slightly different methodology. Due to this change, the net temporary emigration component is no longer calculated from July 2016 onwards.

The estimates for returning emigrants are final up to 2021/2022, updated for 2022/2023 and preliminary for 2023/2024.

The estimates for net temporary emigration are final up to 2015/2016.

The estimates for net interprovincial migration are final up to 2022/2023 and preliminary for 2023/2024.

The estimates for net intraprovincial migration are final up to 2022/2023 and preliminary for 2023/2024. For Quebec’s census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, preliminary and final data (from 2001/2002) are taken from the estimates of "l'Institut de la statistique du Québec" (ISQ). In rare instances, it may have been necessary to modify ISQ’s estimates in order to avoid generating negative populations with the cohort component approach. For all census agglomerations the method to calculate intraprovincial migration is not the same for periods starting in 2011/2012 and for past periods. Similarly, historical trends for intraprovincial migration must be interpreted with caution for periods that predate the creation of any given census agglomerations.

The estimates for net non-permanent residents are final up to 2020/2021, updated for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, and preliminary for 2023/2024.

A non-permanent resident refers to a person from another country with a usual place of residence in Canada and who has a work or study permit or who has claimed refugee status (asylum claimant, protected person or member of related groups). Family members living with work or study permit holders are also included unless these family members are already Canadian citizens, landed immigrants (permanent residents), or non-permanent residents themselves.

These estimates of the net non-permanent residents (NPRs) are derived from estimates of the number of NPRs. The NPR estimates differ from the number of asylum claimants and temporary residents provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Care should be taken to consider the differences in methods and reference dates when comparing data from IRCC with Statistics Canada demographic estimates. The two data sources are not fully comparable.

Residual deviation is obtained by distributing the error of closure linearly throughout the intercensal period. The error of closure is defined as the difference between the postcensal population estimates on Census Day and the population enumerated in that census adjusted for census net undercoverage and incompletely enumerated reserves and settlements.