Alberta leads country in population growth

New statistics show population growth in Alberta continues to lead the country, partly driven by people leaving their homes in other parts of Canada.

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The population of Alberta at the beginning of 2014 was estimated to be4,082,600,Statistics Canada said in its latest quarterly demographic estimates.

That number is up21,900 from Oct. 1, 2013.

The biggest influx came from outside the country, with 8,700 immigrants moving to Alberta in the last quarter of 2013.

Interprovincial migration accounted for 5,700 new arrivals to the province 2,600 from Ontario, 1,000 from Quebec and 900 from British Columbia.There were also 7,400 births.

Alberta had the highest net gain in interprovincial migration in 2013 with 43,100 people moving to the province, the report said.

Overall Albertas population grew by 3.3 per cent last year.

Since the first quarter of 2011, Alberta has continuously led all provinces in terms of population growth rate, the report stated.