Northwest Territories Population Overview (2026)
The Northwest Territories (NWT) is a federal territory located in northern Canada and is the most populous of Canada’s three territories. It borders Yukon to the west, Nunavut to the east, British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south. Despite its vast size, the Northwest Territories is the third least populated province or territory in Canada and the third largest by land area.
According to Statistics Canada, the population of the Northwest Territories was 41,070 in the 2021 Census and is estimated at 45,848 in Q4 2025.
Source: Statistics Canada
Northwest Territories Population Growth (2021–2026)
The Northwest Territories has a population growth rate of 11.63% during 2016-2021. It has a population increase of 4,778 people since 2016.
Northwest Territories Census Q4 2025 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
| Total Population | 45,848 |
| Percentage Change since 2016 | 11.63% |
| Population Rank | 11th |
| Total Land Area | 1,127,712 sq. km (456,792 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 3rd |
| Population Density | 0.04/km2 (0.1/sq mi) |
| Capital City | Yellowknife |
| Largest City | Yellowknife |
Source: Statistics Canada
Northwest Territories Historical Population
Northwest Territories has a population growth rate during 2016-2021 of 8.9% %. In 1999, NT ceded land to the creation of Nunavut & earlier also ceded land to the creation & expansion of other provinces.
Northwest Territories Population by Year (2001–2021)
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
| 2001 | 37,360 | – | – |
| 2006 | 41,464 | +4,104 | +10.99% |
| 2011 | 41,462 | -+2 | +.0 |
| 2016 | 41,786 | +324 | +.78% |
| 2021 | 41,070 | -716 | -1.7% |
Source: Statistics Canada
Religion in Northwest Territories
Christianity is the largest religion in the Northwest Territories and is followed by 55.2% of people. Roughly 39.8% of the Northwest Territories population had no religious affiliation.
With immigration patterns, there were growing proportions of the population who reported religious affiliations other than Christian. These religions included Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, and Buddhists. In 2021, about 4.2% of the population reported affiliation with one of these religions.
In 2021, people who identified themselves as Muslim made up 1.8% of the population, Hindu 0.5%, Sikh 0.3%, Buddhist 0.6%, and Jews 0.1%. Indigenous religion is fllwed by 0.8% and Other smaller faiths are 0.5% of the population.
Religion-wise population & percentage
| Religion | Numbers | Percentage |
| Christian | 22,275 | 55.2% |
| No religion and secular perspectives | 16,065 | 39.8% |
| Muslim | 730 | 1.8% |
| North American Indigenous | 330 | 0.8% |
| Buddhist | 250 | 0.6% |
| Hindu | 200 | 0.5% |
| Sikh | 110 | 0.3% |
| Jewish | 50 | 0.1% |
| Other religions and spiritual traditions | 370 | 0.9% |
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
Christianity in Northwest Territories
As per Canadian Census 2021, 55.2% of the Northwest Territories population reported that they were affiliated with a Christian religion. Roman Catholics were the largest Christian religious group in 2021. About 32% of people identified themselves as Roman Catholic. It’s followed by the various branches of Protestantism Churches. Anglican (8.1%) is the second largest followed by United Church (2%) and Pentecostal (1.9%).
Let’s look at the Christian Affiliations percentage and numbers in Northwest Territories
| Christian Affiliations | Numbers | Percentage |
| Catholic | 12,930 | 32% |
| Anglican | 3,280 | 8.1% |
| United Church | 815 | 2% |
| Pentecostal and other Charismatic | 770 | 1.9% |
| Baptist | 610 | 1.5% |
| Christian Orthodox | 185 | 0.5% |
| Lutheran | 180 | 0.4% |
| Methodist and Wesleyan (Holiness) | 120 | 0.3% |
| Jehovah’s Witness | 80 | 0.2% |
| Latter Day Saints | 85 | 0.2% |
| Presbyterian | 80 | 0.2% |
| Anabaptist | 35 | 0.1% |
| Reformed | 10 | 0 |
| Christian not specified | 2,490 | 6.2% |
| Other Christian and Christian-related traditions | 600 | 1.5% |
| Total | 22,275 | 55.2% |
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
Northwest Territories Ethnic composition
Northwest Territory is primarily populated by Indigenous peoples Followed by the European population. European origins are 38.2% of the population and Aboriginals make up 49.6% of the Northwest Territories Population. First Nations, Metis, and Inuit are major Aboriginal people. Almost 12.18% of the population of the Northwest Territories belongs to a visible minority group. The Main Visible minority communities are Filipino, Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Arab.
read in detail about Race and ethnicity in Northwest Territory
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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