FREDERICTON: New Brunswick has recorded a significant decline in its population over the last quarter, marking the sharpest drop since the 1970s, according to a recent report from Statistics Canada. As of October 1, the province’s population decreased by 0.1%, a loss of approximately 1,052 residents.
Key Factors for the Decline
Economic experts attribute this unusual downward trend to a combination of factors:
- Mass Exit of Temporary Residents: The primary driver is the large-scale departure of foreign nationals. As work and study permits expired, many temporary residents were forced to leave the country.
- Inter-provincial Migration: Migration to other Canadian provinces has outpaced arrivals. Roughly 4,000 people left New Brunswick for other parts of Canada, while only 3,000 moved in.
- Demographic Shift: The province continues to struggle with a natural population decline, as the death rate currently exceeds the birth rate.
Economic Impact
The dwindling numbers are already being felt across various sectors, particularly in the restaurant and service industries, which rely heavily on temporary workers. Analysts warn that in a province with a rapidly aging demographic, the loss of young people could severely stifle long-term economic growth and labor market stability.
