82% of Albertans are set to live in one specific region by 2051
Alberta’s population is set to be heavily centred around one specific region by the year 2051, according to the latest projections from the provincial government.
Alberta is projected to add roughly two million residents over the next 27 years, reaching almost 6.9 million by 2051 with an average annual growth rate of 1.3 per cent, according to projections released earlier this month.
The Province says the majority of the expected growth will be due to migration, with 63 per cent coming from international migration and 21 per cent from interprovincial migration. Natural increase is projected to account for the remaining 16 per cent of the growth.
Alberta’s population grew by an exceptional 4.4 per cent in 2024, a rate not seen since 1981. Over the next three years, growth is expected to moderate due to policy changes largely targeting non-permanent residents and lowered immigration targets.
Despite slowing over the next three years, the province is still expected to have an average annual growth rate of 1.6 per cent, adding another 240,000 people by 2027.
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Under the medium scenario, Alberta is set to hit the population milestone of 5.5 million in 2033 and six million in 2040.
The number of seniors aged 65 and older is expected to increase from 741,000 in 2024 to more than 1.1 million by 2040. One in five Albertans is projected to be aged 65 or older by 2051.
In 2051, Alberta’s population is expected to become more concentrated in urban centers, especially along the Edmonton-Calgary Corridor — 82 per cent of Albertans are expected to live in this region by 2051.
Population projections were produced for all Local Geographic Areas (LGAs). By 2051, Crowsnest Pass is projected to be home to the oldest population, with 37.5 per cent of its population aged 65 and older. By comparison, High Level is expected to have the youngest population, with 32.8 per cent of its residents aged 14 years or younger, and only 9.7 per cent aged 65 and above.
You can find the full breakdown on the Alberta population projections online.