Preliminary demographic estimates indicate that the population of Newfoundland and Labrador stood at 548,557 as of January 1, 2026. According to these preliminary estimates, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador decreased by 1,181 persons (or 0.2%) from October 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. This marked the largest quarter-over-quarter decrease in the province’s population since Q2 2007 (-0.2%).
In Q4 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador’s population change was driven by losses in both natural population (deaths exceeding births) and net migration. Net migration recorded a decline of 264 persons in Q4 2025. Natural population change (births less deaths) was also negative, down by 917 persons. This marked the largest quarter-over-quarter decrease in the province’s natural population change since consistent records began in 1949.
A net loss was recorded in both international migration (-236) and interprovincial migration (‑28). International migration declines in Q4 2025 stemmed from a loss in net non-permanent residents (-1,344), which more than offset an increase in permanent (or landed) immigrants (+1,132). This marked the first net loss for international migration in the province since Q3 2020. On an interprovincial basis, the largest net gain in Q4 2025 was from New Brunswick (+61), while the largest net migration losses were to Nova Scotia (-72) and British Columbia (-60).
At the national level, Canada’s population declined by 103,504 persons, or 0.2%, from October 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. The decrease in Q4 2025 was due to a decline in international migration (-102,723), particularly a drop in non-permanent residents. This trend is partly the result of changing government policies concerning international migration.
Note that these preliminary demographic estimates will be updated in the coming months according to the process used for decades by the Demographic Estimates Program at Statistics Canada. It is possible that these coming updates will be of greater scope than in past years, given recent and rapidly evolving changes to government policies regarding international migration.
| Components of Population Change, Newfoundland and Labrador | |
|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 → Q4 | |
| Previous Population (as of) | 549,738 (October 1, 2025) |
| Total Net Migration | -264 |
| Inter-provincial net-migration | -28 |
| Inter-provincial in-migration | 973 |
| Inter-provincial out-migration | 1,001 |
| Net International Migration | -236 |
| Natural Population Change | -917 |
| Births | 828 |
| Deaths | 1,745 |
| Most Recent Population (as of) | 548,557 (January 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.