Alberta Population Projected to Reach 7 Million by 2051

The Government of Alberta released a study on July 9, 2026, projecting the province's population will grow 39 percent, increasing from approximately 5 million to 7 million residents by 2051. Net migration is expected to drive 81 percent of this growth, with international arrivals accounting for 76 percent of the total increase. The projections indicate a shift toward an older, more diverse, and urbanized population, with 82 percent of residents expected to live within the Edmonton-Calgary corridor by 2051.

While growth may slow in 2026 due to federal restrictions on temporary visas implemented by the Treasury Board of Canada, Alberta is projected to maintain an average annual growth rate of 1.3 percent. Officials suggest the province may be less affected by federal policy shifts than other regions due to having fewer non-permanent residents. These demographic shifts are viewed as a potential challenge to separatist movements, as newcomers are considered less likely to support leaving the Canadian Confederation.

Simultaneously, the Institut de la statistique du Québec reported that Quebec's population will likely decline by approximately 50,000 people between 2025 and 2029. This dip is attributed to a reduction in temporary immigrants. The population is forecast to eventually stabilize and plateau at 9.17 million. While Quebec City is expected to grow, Montreal is projected to see a population decrease as the government attempts to redirect newcomers to other regions of the province.