Maple News reports that, for the first time in Canada’s history, millennials now outnumber baby boomers, according to new data from Statistics Canada. This demographic shift is largely fueled by robust immigration, particularly by younger permanent and temporary residents.
Millennials—those born between 1981 and 1996—now make up 23% of the Canadian population, marking their highest representation to date. Between July 2022 and July 2023 alone, the millennial cohort increased by more than 457,000 people, a change attributed entirely to the arrival of newcomers.
The influx of younger immigrants has also nudged Canada’s average age slightly downward. From July 2022 to July 2023, the national average age dropped from 41.7 to 41.6—a small shift, but significant as it marks the first decline since 1958, during the heart of the baby boom.
Immigration continues to be a major catalyst of population growth. Between July and December 2023, Canada gained 430,635 new residents, with 96% of this growth attributed to immigration. Furthermore, Statistics Canada revealed that 95.8% of immigrants who arrived between 2016 and 2021 were under 65 years old, and nearly two-thirds were in their prime working years—ages 25 to 64.
This generational turnover is reinforced by historically high immigration figures. Canada welcomed a record-breaking 471,550 new permanent residents in 2023, up from 437,000 in 2022. These numbers do not include the increasing number of non-permanent residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers, who also contribute to Canada’s youthful demographic shift.
In fact, temporary residents aged 20–24 now represent a substantial share of the population, with one in five people in this age group holding temporary status as of mid-2023. This aligns with trends in Canada’s education sector: in 2023, over 1 million international students held active study permits, marking a 29% increase from the year prior.
The age group of 30–34-year-olds also saw notable growth. This cohort increased by 6.4%—more than double the overall population growth rate of 2.9%. Such numbers suggest that newcomers are not only choosing Canada to study or work, but also to settle and build long-term futures.
As younger generations reshape Canada’s demographic landscape, immigration continues to be a defining force behind the country’s economic and social renewal. This vibrant influx of talent and energy keeps Canada youthful, competitive, and forward-looking.