Preliminary demographic estimates indicate that the population of Newfoundland and Labrador stood at 547,910 as of April 1, 2026. According to these estimates, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador decreased by 647 persons (or 0.1%) from January 1, 2026, to April 1, 2026.
In Q1 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador’s population change was driven by losses in the natural population (deaths exceeding births), while net migration increased. Natural change (births less deaths) decreased by 941 persons. This marked the largest quarter-over-quarter decrease in the province’s natural population change since consistent records began in 1949. Net migration increased by 294 persons in Q1 2026.
A net gain was recorded in both international migration (+101) and interprovincial migration (+193). The increase in international migration in Q1 2026 stemmed from an increase in permanent (or landed) immigrants (+1,397), which more than offset a decline in net non-permanent residents (-1,267). On an interprovincial basis, in-migration (+1,807) more than offset out-migration (-1,614). The largest net migration gain in Q1 2026 was from Ontario (+298), while the largest net migration loss was to Nova Scotia (-171).
At the national level, Canada’s population declined by 55,025 persons, or 0.1%, from January 1, 2026, to April 1, 2026. The decrease in Q1 2026 was largely due to a decline in net international migration (-54,870), particularly a drop in non-permanent residents. This trend is partly the result of changing federal government policies concerning international migration. Canada also had a small negative natural population change (-155).
Note that these preliminary demographic estimates are subject to revision in future releases, following the standard process used by the Demographic Estimates Program at Statistics Canada.
| Components of Population Change, Newfoundland and Labrador | |
|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 | |
| Previous Population (as of) | 548,557 (January 1, 2026) |
| Total Net Migration | 294 |
| Inter-provincial net-migration | 193 |
| Inter-provincial in-migration | 1,807 |
| Inter-provincial out-migration | 1,614 |
| Net International Migration | 101 |
| Natural Population Change | -941 |
| Births | 865 |
| Deaths | 1,806 |
| Most Recent Population (as of) | 547,910 (April 1, 2026) |
Statistical Reference: Statistics used in this analysis were the latest available at the time of writing. For the latest in population statistics visit the Newfoundland & Labrador Statistics Agency site.
Provincial population projections are also available by age, gender and various levels of geography.