Sask. population grows, gets younger

Saskatchewan’s population has hit a new all-time high, with 1,057,884 people now calling the Land of Living Skies their home. 

Between April 1st and July 1st of this year, Statistics Canada says the population in Saskatchewan grew by 5,444, consisting of a natural increase of 1,524, a net inter-provincial migration of 1,239 and international migration of 2,681. 

That is the largest quarterly jump ever recorded in the province since the agency started keeping records. 

“People move where the opportunities are and right now, there are a lot more people moving into Saskatchewan than moving out,” Premier Brad Wall said in a statement about the record growth. “It wasn’t too long ago that the situation was completely reversed and more people were moving away.” 

The government also says that since taking office, the population has grown by over 50-thousand people, the largest population growth during a single term of office since 1925 to 1929. 

While the population grew, it also got younger. The median age dropped to 37.3 years, the second-lowest among the provinces and one of only two provinces to have the median age get younger in the last year. 

Wall says young people and young families are good for Saskatchewan’s future. “A growing population and economy provides a growing tax base which allows government to lower taxes and fund important government services like health care, highways and education.”