Newfoundland and Labrador Population Overview (2026)
Newfoundland and Labrador is one of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, consisting of the island of Newfoundland and the mainland region of Labrador. It is the easternmost province of Canada, located in the northeastern corner of North America. Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s ninth most populous province and the fourth smallest by land area.
According to Statistics Canada, the province recorded a population of 510,550 in the 2021 Census, which increased to an estimated 549,738 in Q4 2025.
👉 Projected Population of Newfoundland and Labrador (2026): ~555,000
Source: Statistics Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador Population Growth (2021–2026)
Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a population growth rate of 7.68% from 2021 to 2026. It has a population increase of 39,188 since 2021.
Census Q4 2025 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
| Total Population | 549,738 |
| Percentage Change since 2021 | 7.68% |
| Population Rank | 9th |
| Total Land Area | 373,872 km2 (144,353 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 10th |
| Population Density | 1.5/sq km (3.8/sq mi) |
| Capital City | St. John’s |
| Largest City | St. John’s |
Source: Statistics Canada
Future Population Projection
Newfoundland and Labrador’s long-term population outlook suggests slow growth in the near term, followed by stabilization and gradual decline after mid-century. While immigration is expected to support growth through the 2030s, aging demographics, low birth rates, and youth out-migration are likely to limit sustained expansion beyond 2040. By the end of the century, the province’s population is projected to remain below 600,000, with modest fluctuations rather than strong growth.
Newfoundland & Labrador Population Projections (2030–2100)
| Year | Projected Population | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | ~565,000 | Growth continues |
| 2040 | ~585,000 | Near peak |
| 2050 | ~580,000 | Stabilization |
| 2060 | ~570,000 | Gradual decline begins |
| 2070 | ~560,000 | Slow decline |
| 2080 | ~550,000 | Aging population impact |
| 2090 | ~540,000 | Continued decline |
| 2100 | ~530,000 | Long-term contraction |
Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Population
Newfoundland and Labrador’s population showed strong and consistent growth throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, rising from about 56,000 in 1825 to over 360,000 by 1951. The province experienced its fastest expansion between the 1950s and 1970s, peaking at over 568,000 in the early 1990s. Since the mid-1990s, population growth has largely stagnated or declined, with notable decreases in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By the 2021 Census, the population stood at 510,550, reflecting a 1.8% decline from 2016, highlighting long-term out-migration and demographic aging trends.
Population by Year (1851–2021)
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
| 1825 | 55,719 | – | – |
| 1836 | 75,094 | +19,375 | +34.77 |
| 1845 | 96,295 | +21,201 | +28.23 |
| 1851 | 101,600 | +5,305 | +5.51 |
| 1857 | 124,288 | +22,688 | +22.33 |
| 1869 | 146,536 | +22,248 | +17.90 |
| 1874 | 161,374 | +14,838 | +10.13 |
| 1884 | 197,335 | +35,961 | +22.28 |
| 1891 | 202,040 | +4,705 | +2.38 |
| 1901 | 220,984 | +18,944 | +9.38 |
| 1911 | 242,619 | +21,635 | +9.79 |
| 1921 | 263,033 | +20,414 | +8.41 |
| 1935 | 289,588 | +26,555 | +10.10 |
| 1945 | 321,819 | +32,231 | +11.13 |
| 1951 | 361,416 | +39,597 | +12.30 |
| 1956 | 415,074 | +53,658 | +14.85 |
| 1966 | 493,396 | +78,322 | +18.87 |
| 1971 | 522,100 | +28,704 | +5.82 |
| 1976 | 557,720 | +35,620 | +6.82 |
| 1981 | 567,681 | +9,961 | +1.79 |
| 1986 | 568,350 | +669 | +0.12 |
| 1991 | 568,475 | +125 | +0.02 |
| 1996 | 551,790 | -16,685 | -2.94 |
| 2001 | 512,930 | -38,860 | -7.04 |
| 2006 | 505,469 | -7,461 | -1.45 |
| 2011 | 514,536 | +9,067 | +1.79 |
| 2016 | 519,716 | +5,180 | +1.01 |
| 2021 | 510,550 | -9166 | -1.8 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador Ethnic composition
The ethnic origin most often reported in Newfoundland and Labrador was Canadian followed by English, Irish, Scottish, and French. European origins (87.4%) of the population are most common and Aboriginals are 9.2% of Newfoundland and Labrador populations. First Nations, Metis, and Inuit are major Aboriginal people. Almost 3.3% of the population of Newfoundland and Labrador belongs to a visible minority group. The Main Visible minority communities are South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latino, and Arab.
read in detail about race and ethnicity in Newfoundland and Labrador
Top cities in Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John’s, located in Newfoundland and Labrador, is the province’s capital and largest city. It covers an area of 446.04 km² (172.22 sq mi) and had a population of 110,525 according to the 2021 Census. All other cities and towns in the province have populations below 100,000. Mount Pearl and Corner Brook are the only other incorporated cities, while the remaining urban areas are classified as towns or municipalities.
| # | Cities/ Town / Municipality | 2021 |
| 1 | St. John’s | 110,525 |
| 2 | Conception Bay South | 27,168 |
| 3 | Paradise | 22,957 |
| 4 | Mount Pearl | 22,477 |
| 5 | Corner Brook | 19,333 |
| 6 | Grand Falls-Windsor | 13,853 |
| 7 | Gander | 11,880 |
| 8 | Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s | 8,415 |
| 9 | Happy Valley-Goose Bay | 8,040 |
| 10 | Torbay | 7,852 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
English
Español
Português
Deutsch