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Overview of Canadian Provinces and Territories Population (2026 Estimates)
Canada’s population is projected to reach 42 million in 2026, based on Statistics Canada’s Q4 2025 estimates. The country consists of ten provinces and three territories, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and north into the Arctic, covering 9.98 million square kilometers (3.85 million sq mi), making it the world’s second-largest country by area.
Most Canadians live close to the US–Canada border. The four largest provinces by area — Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta — are also the most populous, together accounting for 86% of the country’s population. In contrast, the territories (Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon) cover over a third of Canada’s land but are home to only 0.3% of the population, significantly lowering national population density.
also read about Ethnicity and origin in Canada
Province-Wise Population in Canada (2021 Census → 2026 Estimates)
Canada has grown from four original provinces to its current ten provinces and three territories. Unlike the provinces, the territories have no inherent sovereignty and only exercise powers delegated by the federal government
Population of Canadian Provinces and Territories (2026 Estimates)
| # | Province/Territory | Census 2021 | Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ontario | 14,223,942 | 16,191,372 |
| 2 | Quebec | 8,501,833 | 9,058,089 |
| 3 | British Columbia | 5,000,879 | 5,683,201 |
| 4 | Alberta | 4,262,635 | 5,040,871 |
| 5 | Manitoba | 1,342,153 | 1,507,057 |
| 6 | Saskatchewan | 1,132,505 | 1,266,234 |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 969,383 | 1,091,857 |
| 8 | New Brunswick | 775,610 | 868,830 |
| 9 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 510,550 | 549,738 |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 154,331 | 182,508 |
| 11 | Yukon | 40,232 | 48,261 |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | 41,070 | 45,848 |
| 13 | Nunavut | 36,858 | 41,919 |
| — | Canada Total | 36,873,821 | 41,575,585 |
Source: Statistics Canada
also read about Top Cities in Canada
Top 5 Most Populous Provinces
The majority of Canada’s population is concentrated in a few large provinces. The top five most populous provinces are:
Provinces by Population (2026 Estiamates)
| # | Province | Population 2026 |
| 1 | Ontario | 1,6191,372 |
| 2 | Quebec | 9,058,089 |
| 3 | Britsih Columbia | 5,683,202 |
| 4 | Alberta | 5,040,871 |
| 5 | Manitoba | 1,507,057 |
Together, these five provinces account for almost 90% of Canada’s population. Among them, British Columbia has the highest growth rate, followed by Manitoba.
Source: Statistics Canada
Least Populated Provinces and Territories
The least populated regions are primarily the territories, with Nunavut being the smallest by population, followed by Yukon and Northwest Territories. These five least populous provinces and territories contribute only around 2% of Canada’s total population.
Least Populated Provinces (2026 Estimates)
| Rank | Province/Territory | Population 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nunavut | 41,919 |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | 45,848 |
| 3 | Yukon | 48,261 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Growth Rate of Canadian Provinces and Territories (2021 → 2025)
Population growth varies across Canada, with northern territories experiencing higher percentage increases, while some smaller provinces grow slowly.
Province and Territory Growth Rate
| Province/Territory | Growth Rate (2021 → 2025) |
|---|---|
| Northwest Territories | 19.96% |
| Ontario | 18.26% |
| Saskatchewan | 18.26% |
| Yukon | 13.83% |
| Quebec | 13.73% |
| Alberta | 13.64% |
| Nova Scotia | 12.63% |
| Nunavut | 12.29% |
| Manitoba | 12.02% |
| British Columbia | 11.81% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 11.63% |
| New Brunswick | 7.68% |
| Prince Edward Island | 6.54% |
| Canada Average | 12.75% |
Source: Statistics Canada
Key Takeaways
Most populous province: Ontario (16.19 million in 2025)
Fastest-growing regions: Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan
Least populous territory: Nunavut (41,919 in 2026)
Population concentration: 86% in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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