Demographics_of_Northwest_Territories
Demographics of the Northwest Territories
Demographics of region
The Northwest Territories is a territory of Canada. It has an area of 1,171,918 square kilometres and a population of 41,786 as of the 2016 Canadian census.
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| Census year | Population | 5-year % change | 10-year % change | Rank among provinces and territories | Notes on changes impacting area and attendant population, and count provinces and territories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1871 | 48,000 | n/a | n/a | 5 |
|
| 1881 | 56,446 | n/a | 17.6 | 7 |
|
| 1891 | 98,967 | n/a | 75.3 | 7 |
|
| 1901 | 184,430 | n/a | 86.4 | 6 |
|
| 1911 | 6,507 | n/a | -96.5 | 11 |
|
| 1921 | 8,143 | n/a | 25.1 | 10 |
|
| 1931 | 9,316 | n/a | 14.4 | 10 |
|
| 1941 | 12,028 | n/a | 29.1 | 10 | |
| 1951 | 16,004 | n/a | 33.1 | 10 |
|
| 1956 | 19,313 | 20.7 | n/a | 11 | |
| 1961 | 22,998 | 19.1 | 43.7 | 11 | |
| 1966 | 28,738 | 25.0 | 48.8 | 11 | |
| 1971 | 34,807 | 21.1 | 51.3 | 11 | |
| 1976 | 42,609 | 22.4 | 48.3 | 11 | |
| 1981 | 45,740 | 7.3 | 31.4 | 11 | |
| 1986 | 52,235 | 14.2 | 22.6 | 11 | |
| 1991 | 57,649 | 10.3 | 26.0 | 11 | |
| 1996 | 64,402 | 11.7 | 23.2 | 11 | |
| 2001 | 37,360 | -42.0 | -35.2 | 11 |
|
| 2006 | 41,464 | 11.0 | -35.6 | 11 |
|
| 2011 | 41,462 | 0.0 | 10.9 | 11 | |
| 2016 | 41,786 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 11 | |
| 2021 | 41,070 | -1.7 | -0.9 | 11 |
Source: Statistics Canada,[2][3][4][5] with Social Science Federation of Canada for 1871–1901[6]
Ten largest population centres
| Municipality | 2011 | 2006 | 2001 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowknife | 19,234 | 18,700 | 16,541 | 17,275 |
| Hay River | 3,606 | 3,648 | 3,510 | 3,611 |
| Inuvik | 3,463 | 3,484 | 2,894 | 3,296 |
| Fort Smith | 2,093 | 2,364 | 2,185 | 2,441 |
| Behchokǫ̀ | 1,926 | 1,894 | 1,552 | 1,662 |
| Fort Simpson | 1,238 | 1,216 | 1,163 | 1,257 |
| Tuktoyaktuk | 854 | 870 | 930 | 943 |
| Fort McPherson | 792 | 776 | 761 | 878 |
| Fort Providence | 734 | 727 | 753 | 748 |
| Norman Wells | 727 | 761 | 666 | 798 |
| Visible minority and Indigenous population (2021 Canadian census)[7] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Population group | Population | % | |
| European[lower-alpha 1] | 15,430 | 38.2% | |
| Visible minority group | South Asian | 770 | 1.9% |
| Chinese | 335 | 0.8% | |
| Black | 1,060 | 2.6% | |
| Filipino | 1,665 | 4.1% | |
| Arab | 225 | 0.6% | |
| Latin American | 125 | 0.3% | |
| Southeast Asian | 305 | 0.8% | |
| West Asian | 35 | 0.1% | |
| Korean | 75 | 0.2% | |
| Japanese | 105 | 0.3% | |
| Visible minority, n.i.e. | 50 | 0.1% | |
| Multiple visible minorities | 170 | 0.4% | |
| Total visible minority population | 4,915 | 12.2% | |
| Indigenous group | First Nations (North American Indian) | 12,315 | 30.5% |
| Métis | 2,890 | 7.2% | |
| Inuk (Inuit) | 4,150 | 10.3% | |
| Multiple Indigenous responses | 405 | 1.0% | |
| Indigenous responses n.i.e. | 270 | 0.7% | |
| Total Indigenous population | 20,035 | 49.6% | |
| Total population | 40,380 | 100.0% | |
French was made an official language in 1877 by the appointed government, after lengthy and bitter debate resulting from a speech from the throne in 1888 by Lt. Governor Joseph Royal. The members voted on more than one occasion to nullify and make English the only language used in the assembly. After some conflict with Ottawa and a decisive vote on January 19, 1892, the issue was put to rest as an English-only territory.
In the early 1980s, the government of Northwest Territories was again under pressure by the federal government to reintroduce French as an official language. Some native members walked out of the assembly, protesting that they would not be permitted to speak their own language. The executive council appointed a special committee of MLAs to study the matter. They decided that if French was to be an official language, then so must the other languages in the territories.
The Northwest Territories's Official Languages Act recognizes the following eleven official languages, which is more than any other political division in Canada:[8]
- Chipewyan
- Cree
- English
- French
- Gwich’in
- Inuinnaqtun
- Inuktitut
- Inuvialuktun
- North Slavey
- South Slavey
- Tłįchǫ
NWT residents have a right to use any of the above languages in a territorial court and in debates and proceedings of the legislature. However, laws are legally binding only in their French and English versions, and the government only publishes laws and other documents in the territory's other official languages when the legislature asks it to. Furthermore, access to services in any language is limited to institutions and circumstances where there is significant demand for that language or where it is reasonable to expect it given the nature of the services requested. In reality, this means that English language services are universally available and there is no guarantee that other languages, including French, will be used by any particular government service except for the courts.
The 2006 Canadian census showed a population of 41,464. Of the 40,680 singular responses to the census question concerning 'mother tongue' the most commonly reported languages (official languages in bold) were:
| Mother tongue | Speakers | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | English | 31,545 | 77.54% |
| 2. | Athapaskan languages | 4,710 | 11.58% |
| Dogrib | 1,950 | 4.79% | |
| South Slavey | 1,285 | 3.16% | |
| North Slavey | 835 | 2.05% | |
| Chipewyan | 390 | 0.96% | |
| Gwich'in | 190 | 0.47% | |
| Dene | 50 | 0.12% | |
| 3. | French | 975 | 2.40% |
| 4. | Inuktitut | 695 | 1.71% |
| 5. | Malayo-Polynesian languages | 530 | 1.30% |
| Tagalog | 505 | 1.24% | |
| 6. | Vietnamese | 305 | 0.75% |
| 7. | Chinese | 260 | 0.64% |
| Cantonese | 120 | 0.29% | |
| 8. | Algonquian languages | 250 | 0.61% |
| Cree | 190 | 0.47% | |
| Ojibway | 35 | 0.09% | |
| 9. | German | 190 | 0.47% |
| 10= | Arabic | 105 | 0.26% |
| 10= | Creole | 105 | 0.26% |
| 12. | Dutch | 95 | 0.23% |
| 13. | Spanish | 90 | 0.22% |
| 14. | Niger-Congo languages | 80 | 0.20% |
| Bantu languages | 55 | 0.14% | |
| 15. | Yugoslavian languages | 60 | 0.15% |
| 16= | Inuinnaqtun | 55 | 0.14% |
| 16= | Italian | 55 | 0.14% |
There were also about 40 single-language responses for Ukrainian; 35 for the Scandinavian languages, Slovak and Urdu; and 30 for Hungarian, the Iranian languages and Polish. In addition, there were also 320 responses of both English and a 'non-official language'; 15 of both French and a 'non-official language; 45 of both English and French, and about 400 people who either did not respond to the question, or reported multiple non-official languages, or else gave some other unenumerated response. The Northwest Territories' official languages are shown in bold. Figures shown are for the number of single language responses and the percentage of total single-language responses.)[9]
| Religious beliefs in NWT (2011 census)[10] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Religion | Adherents | % of the population |
| Christianity | 27,050 | 66.3% |
| Irreligious | 12,450 | 30.51% |
| Traditional (Aboriginal) Spirituality | 500 | 1.23% |
| Islam | 275 | 0.67% |
| Buddhism | 170 | 0.42% |
| Hinduism | 70 | 0.17% |
| Judaism | 40 | 0.1% |
| Sikhism | 20 | 0.05% |
| Other religions | 220 | 0.54% |
| Total | 40,800 | 100% |
Immigration
| Year | Immigrant percentage | Immigrant population | Total population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1881 | 0.8% | 453 | 56,446 |
| 1891 | 18.9% | 18,712 | 98,967 |
| 1901 | 0.7% | 147 | 20,129 |
| 1911 | 1.8% | 116 | 6,507 |
| 1921 | 2.5% | 207 | 8,143 |
| 1931 | 5.7% | 534 | 9,316 |
| 1941 | 6.8% | 818 | 12,028 |
| 1951 | 6.5% | 1,042 | 16,004 |
| 1961 | 8.5% | 1,963 | 22,998 |
| 1971 | 6.4% | 2,245 | 34,810 |
The 2021 census reported that immigrants (individuals born outside Canada) comprise 4,145 persons or 10.3 percent of the total population of the Northwest Territories.[13]
| Country of Birth | 2021[13] | 2016[14] | 2011[15][16] | 2006[17][18] | 2001[19][20] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| Philippines | 1,175 | 28.3% | 955 | 25.9% | 630 | 21.9% | 555 | 19.8% | 355 | 14.9% |
| United Kingdom | 275 | 6.6% | 320 | 8.7% | 280 | 9.7% | 340 | 12.1% | 460 | 19.3% |
| India | 265 | 6.4% | 180 | 4.9% | 70 | 2.4% | 30 | 1.1% | 55 | 2.3% |
| United States of America | 175 | 4.2% | 220 | 6% | 225 | 7.8% | 235 | 8.4% | 215 | 9% |
| Vietnam | 165 | 4% | 175 | 4.7% | 95 | 3.3% | 245 | 8.7% | 140 | 5.9% |
| Germany | 115 | 2.8% | 125 | 3.4% | 110 | 3.8% | 130 | 4.6% | 145 | 6.1% |
| China | 100 | 2.4% | 110 | 3% | 170 | 5.9% | 100 | 3.6% | 60 | 2.5% |
| South Africa | 90 | 2.2% | 40 | 1.1% | 35 | 1.2% | 40 | 1.4% | 50 | 2.1% |
| Zimbabwe | 80 | 1.9% | 70 | 1.9% | 145 | 5% | 10 | 0.4% | 10 | 0.4% |
| Bangladesh | 80 | 1.9% | 95 | 2.6% | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.4% | 0 | 0% |
| Total immigrants | 4,145 | 10.3% | 3,685 | 9% | 2,880 | 7.1% | 2,810 | 6.8% | 2,380 | 6.4% |
| Total responses | 40,375 | 98.3% | 41,135 | 98.4% | 40,800 | 98.4% | 41,060 | 99% | 37,100 | 99.3% |
| Total population | 41,070 | 100% | 41,786 | 100% | 41,462 | 100% | 41,464 | 100% | 37,360 | 100% |
Recent immigration
The 2021 Canadian census counted a total of 810 people who immigrated to the Northwest Territories between 2016 and 2021.[13]
| Recent immigrants to Northwest Territories by country of birth (2016 to 2021)[13] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country of birth | Population | % recent immigrants |
| Philippines | 275 | 34% |
| India | 95 | 11.7% |
| Sudan | 35 | 4.3% |
| Syria | 35 | 4.3% |
| South Africa | 25 | 3.1% |
| France | 25 | 3.1% |
| China | 20 | 2.5% |
| Zimbabwe | 20 | 2.5% |
| Bangladesh | 20 | 2.5% |
| Pakistan | 20 | 2.5% |
| Jamaica | 20 | 2.5% |
| Somalia | 20 | 2.5% |
| Eritrea | 20 | 2.5% |
| Ethiopia | 20 | 2.5% |
| Total | 810 | 100% |
Internal migration
A total of 12,100 people moved to the Northwest Territories from other parts of Canada between 1996 and 2006 while 15,955 people moved in the opposite direction. These movements resulted in a net influx of 825 from Newfoundland and Labrador, 295 from Nunavut, 235 from Quebec and 195 from Nova Scotia; and a net outmigration of 3,955 to Alberta, 705 to British Columbia, 260 to Manitoba, 245 to Ontario and 230 to the Yukon. (All inter-provincial movements and official minority movements of more than 100 persons are given.)[21][22]
- Canada's population Archived November 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Statistics Canada. Last accessed September 28, 2006.
- "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2011 and 2006 censuses". Statistics Canada. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-02-09). "2021 Census of Population geographic summary: Northwest Territories [Territory]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- "Series A2-14. Population of Canada, by province, census dates, 1851 to 1976". Historical Statistics of Canada | Section A: Population and Migration (PDF). Statistics Canada and Social Science Federation of Canada (Report). 1983. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- Northwest Territories Official Languages Act, 1988 Archived March 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (as amended 1988, 1991-1992, 2003)
- StatCan. "NHS Profile, Northwest Territories, 2011". Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-04-03). "Sixth census of Canada,1921 . Vol. II: Ages, conjugal condition, birthplace, birthplace of parents, year of immigration and naturalization, language spoken, literacy, school attendance, blindness and deaf-mutism". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (4 September 2022). "1971 Census of Canada : population : vol. I – part 3 = Recensement du Canada 1971 : population : vol. I – partie 3. Birthplace. TABLE 42. Population Bom Outside Canada, Showing Numerical and Percentage Distribution, for Canada and Provinces, 1921-1971". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2023-06-21). "Place of birth and period of immigration by gender and age: Province or territory". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-06-17). "Data tables, 2016 Census Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (11), Place of Birth (272), Age (7A) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 2016 Census - 25% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-01-23). "2011 National Household Survey: Data tables Profile - Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity, and Aboriginal Peoples for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, National Household Survey, 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-01-23). "2011 National Household Survey: Data tables Citizenship (5), Place of Birth (236), Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (11), Age Groups (10) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2009-03-23). "Place of birth for the immigrant population by period of immigration, 2006 counts and percentage distribution, for Canada, provinces and territories - 20% sample data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2020-05-01). "2006 Census Topic-based tabulations Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (8) and Place of Birth (261) for the Immigrants and Non-permanent Residents of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-12-23). "2001 Census Topic-based tabulations Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (10A) and Place of Birth of Respondent (260) for Immigrants and Non-permanent Residents, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 Census - 20% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-12-23). "2001 Census Topic-based tabulations Selected Places of Birth (85) for the Immigrant Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1996 and 2001 Censuses - 20% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- "Province or Territory of Residence 5 Years Ago (14), Mother Tongue (8), Age Groups (16) and Sex (3) (2001 census)". Archived from the original on 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
