Alberta sees fastest population growth since downturn in 2014

Alberta's population grew by almost 20,000 people in the third quarter of this year, driven in equal measure by natural growth and international migration, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada.

The agency's quarterly demographic estimates from July to September say Alberta's population was boosted by 19,905 a 0.5-per cent jump bringing the total population to 4,306,039.

That compares with a population gain in the third quarter of last year of 14,400 people.

University of Calgary economist TrevorTombenoted in a tweet it was the fastest growth for Alberta since late 2014.

The increases in Alberta are accounted for almost equally by newcomers to Canada including non-permanent residents and immigrants and a net positive between births and deaths.

Net international migration added 10,362 people to Alberta's population.

And 8,799 people were added through natural growth the result of 15,013 births and 6,214 deaths, according to a release from the province.

But the numbers also indicate that, after eight quarters in a row of interprovincial migratory outflow, Alberta saw a net increase of 743 people from other provinces.

"As Alberta's economy continues to recover, fewer Alberta residents are choosing to move to other provinces," the province said.

"For the first time in 10quarters, Alberta had more net interprovincial migrants than British Columbia."

Compared with the same quarter last year, fewer Alberta residents are moving to B.C. (6,376 vs. 8,186), and more B.C. residents are moving to Alberta (6,272 vs. 5,581).

Alberta also gained 1,074 residents from Saskatchewan and 701 from Manitoba, according to the province.

Out of the roughly 70,000 immigrants who arrived in Canada in the third quarter of this year, 12 per centsettled in Alberta.

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