Since 2021, New Brunswick has gained approximately 72,400 people, with immigration being the leading driver of population growth. The province welcomed about 40,000 permanent immigrants, alongside a net increase of 25,700 temporary residents, including international students and workers.
However, interprovincial migration trends are shifting. While New Brunswick gained 65,500 people from other provinces during the pandemic, it lost 47,600 to other provinces, leaving a net gain of only 17,900. Most arrivals were from Ontario, but outflows have since resumed.
Natural population changes present another challenge. Since 2005, deaths in New Brunswick have outnumbered births, with losses reaching up to 1,100 people per quarter in 2023 and 2024.
Although the population increase has benefited the workforce and economy, it has exacerbated housing and healthcare shortages. The provincial government has committed to addressing these issues as part of its growth strategy.
