iN NUMBERS: How reducing immigration is going to impact Thompson-Okanagan’s population

B.C.’s population is expected to grow far more slowly now that fewer migrants are allowed into the country. The federal government’s initiatives to slow down immigration have thrown off the population projections that cities rely on to inform things like housing policy.

Here are the numbers:

• 20: Per cent of non-permanent residents, roughly 100,000 people, are expected to leave B.C. by the end of 2026.
• 3.3: Per cent was B.C.’s population growth rate in 2023, this year it’s expected to be 0.4 per cent.
• 2,357: Was the net loss in B.C.’s population between January and April this year.
• 14,000: People left B.C. for other provinces between January and April this year.
• 10,000: Non-permanent residents left B.C. between January and April this year.
• 61,800: People were expected to move to the Central Okanagan over the next ten years prior to the federal government’s restriction on migration.
• 24,300: People are expected to move to the Central Okanagan over the next ten years now that the government has capped migration.
• 16,000: Fewer residents are expected in Penticton in 2046. In 2023, the projected population for Penticton in 20 years was 56,000, now it’s 40,349.
• 19,000: Fewer residents are expected to live in Kamloops in 2040 compared to before the government decided to reduce immigration. Now, BC Stats is projecting 121,000 folks will live in Kamloops in 2040.
• 10,000: Fewer people are expected to live in Vernon in 2046 compared to previous projections, now the expected population is 57,800.