The Economics and Statistics Division maintains archives of previous publications for accountability purposes, but makes no updates to keep these documents current with the latest data revisions from Statistics Canada. As a result, information in older documents may not be accurate. Please exercise caution when referring to older documents. For the latest information and historical data, please contact the individual listed to the right.
<--- Return to Archive
For additional information relating to this article, please contact:
September 25, 2024NOVA SCOTIA QUARTERLY POPULATION ESTIMATES AS OF JULY 1, 2024 
Nova Scotia's population was 1,076,374 as of July 1, 2024. Nova Scotia's population increased by 4,876 (+0.46%) from April 1, 2024.
From April 1 to June 30, there were positive contributions to population growth from international sources as immigration (+4,335) was substantially higher than net emigration (-146) and the number of non-permanent residents entering Nova Scotia (+4,494) exceeded the number leaving the province (-3,942).
Natural change continues to put downward pressure (-1,131 on Nova Scotia's population as deaths (-2,839) outpace births (+1,708).
The number people moving into from Nova Scotia to another province or territory (+6,959) exceeded the number of Nova Scotia moving away to another province (-5,693). The net interprovincial inflow of 1,266 more than reversed a small net interprovincial outflow in the previous quarter.
Nova Scotia's population growth from April 1 to June 30 was slower than in the same period in the previous three years, but remains elevated from growth observed prior to 2020 (2020 was distorted by pandemic-related restrictions on relocation).
From January 1 to March 31, 2024 Nova Scotia’s population increased 0.46%, while the national population grew 0.61%. All provinces reported increasing populations. Alberta reported the fastest population growth this quarter while Newfoundland and Labrador had the slowest growth (followed by Nova Scotia).
Nova Scotia’s natural population change (the number of births less the number of deaths) has been negative for several years. Between April 1 and June 30 there were 1,708 births and 2,839 deaths, amounting to a natural population decline of 1,131. Natural population decline in the first quarter of 2024 was similar to that observed from April 1 to June 30, 2023.
From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 there were 7,499 births, which were outnumbered by 11,855 deaths, resulting in a natural population decline of 4,356.
Immigration from other countries has been a strong contributor to population growth in Nova Scotia in recent years. For the period April 1 to June 30, an additional 4,335 immigrants came to the province. This was the largest quarter of immigration in records dating back to 1946. Over the past year (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024) 13,736 immigrants have arrived in Nova Scotia.
The net change in non-permanent residents in the province was added 552 persons to Nova Scotia's population between April 1 and June 30. The number of non-permanent residents arriving in Nova Scotia was 4,494 while 3,942 non-permanent residents left the province over the same time.
In the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 there was a net increase of 8,745 non-permanent residents in Nova Scotia.
The number of non-permanent residents arriving in Nova Scotia in the last four quarters was 24,221.
In the last four quarters, 15,476 non-permanent residents left Nova Scotia.
A total of 6,959 new Nova Scotians arrived in the province from other parts of Canada between April 1 and June 30. Although this was above pre-pandemic population inflows from other provinces, it was less than during the same months of 2021, 2022 and 2023. From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 19,553 interprovincial migrants arrived in Nova Scotia.
A total of 5,963 Nova Scotians left the province bound for other parts of Canada between April 1 and June 30. This was slightly slower than the pace observed in the same months of 2023. Over the past year, Nova Scotia has seen 17,301 interprovincial outmigrants.
From April 1 to June 30, Nova Scotia's net interprovincial migration generated a net inflow of +1,266. From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 Nova Scotia's net interprovincial migration was positive (+2,252). With slowing in-migration, Nova Scotia's net interprovincial migration flows have decelerated in the last two years.
Ontario continues to account for the largest number of in-migrants to Nova Scotia, however this pace is slowing substantially. Quarterly in-migration from Québec, New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia also slowed notably.
Ontario and Alberta were the largest destinations for those leaving Nova Scotia between April 1 and June 30 of 2024. Out-migration was up notably to Alberta, but down to Ontario, compared to the same months in 2023.
From April 1-June 30, Nova Scotia's net interprovincial population gain reflected sizable inflows from Ontario (+912), Prince Edward Island (+160) and Newfoundlan and Labrador (+204) offset by modest outflows to New Brunswick (-89) and Alberta (-67).
From July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024 the largest source of interprovincial in-migration was from Ontario (9,116), lower than in any of the the previous four years. In-migration was lower from all provinces and territories compared to the previous year except for Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories.
From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 the primary destinations for outmigration from Nova Scotia were Ontario and Alberta, followed by New Brunswick and British Columbia. Compared to the previous year, Nova Scotia out-migration decreased for all provinces and territories except Nunavut.
Ontario was the contributed the most substantial positive net interprovincial migration From July 1, 2023 to June 30 2024 (+2,522), followed by Prince Edward Island (+413) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+299). Alberta (-1,382) and New Brunswick (-193) were the only destinations for net population loss among provinces and territories over this period.
Non-permanent residents
The number of non-permanent residents in Nova Scotia has increased from 30,551 as of July 1, 2022 to 55,825 as of July 1, 2024. Non-permanent residents most often hold work permits (26,461), study permits (14,238), or both work and study permits (10,752).
Asylum claimants, both with and without study/work permits, were 741 as of July 1, 2024.
There were 3,633 other non-permanent residents which are generally family members living with permit holders or persons with temporary residents permits.
Non-permanent residents accounted for 5.2% of Nova Scotia's population as of July 1, 2024. Nationally, non-permanent residents make up 7.3% of the population with the highest shares in British Columbia (9.3%) and Ontario (8.5%) and lowest shares in Newfoundland and Labrador (3.3%) and Saskatchewan (3.5%).
For the period April 1 to June 30, 2024 the non-permanent resident population in Nova Scotia grew 1.0%. Nationally, the non-permanent resident population was up 4.1% with the fastest growth in Québec. Prince Edward Island reported the only decline in non-permanent residents during this period.
The non-permanent resident population in Nova Scotia has increased 18.6% from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024. Nationally, the non-permanent resident population increased 34.8% with the fastest growth in Alberta (+56.2%) and the slowest in Prince Edward Island (+9.7%).
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 17-10-0009-01 Population estimates, quarterly; Table 17-10-0020-01 Estimates of the components of interprovincial migration, quarterly; Table 17-10-0040-01 Estimates of the components of international migration, quarterly; Table 17-10-0045-01 Estimates of interprovincial migrants by province or territory of origin and destination, quarterly; Table 17-10-0121-01 Estimates of the number of non-permanent residents by type, quarterly
<--- Return to Archive
