Saskatchewan's population reaches another record high

People walk outside in downtown Regina in this undated file photo.

Saskatchewan’s total population has surpassed 1,246,000 for the first time, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday.

“There were 1,246,691 people living in Saskatchewan as of October 1, 2024 - an increase of 6,826 people over the past quarter and 26,989 people over the past year,” a news release from the province said.

The province also said that Saskatchewan’s population increase of 0.55 per cent in the last quarter was second highest among all provinces and above the national average.

“Our growing province is a sign of a strong economy that creates more jobs and provides the services people need,” Premier Scott Moe said in the release.

“Our government is committed to meeting the increased demand of a growing population.”

According to the third quarter statistics from StatsCan, Saskatchewan’s population naturally increased by 622 while 6,972 people migrated internationally.

A total of 768 residents migrated out of the province to other regions of Canada.

Population growth reached an all-time high in the third quarter of 2023, when 11,421 people migrated to the province internationally – while 1,589 people moved out of the province. Saskatchewan’s population naturally grew by 563 during that same period.

-- With files from David Prisciak.