B.C. hit a new milestone as its population surpassed five million people for the first time on record as of October 1, 2018.
At 5,017,000 million persons, B.C.’s population rose by 24,635 persons during the third quarter. Over the past year, the province grew by 70,763 persons or a moderately strong pace of 1.4%.
Pride festivities on the streets of Vancouver (StoneMonkeyswk / Shutterstock.com)
International migration has underpinned growth in recent quarters, offsetting weakness in net flows from other provinces.
Net interprovincial migration has trended lower since peaking in early 2016, but the third quarter of 2018 was the first time since early 2013 that B.C. lost more people than it gained (down 1,217 persons). This trimmed the latest four-quarter period gain to 5,474 persons, compared with the increase of 15,186 persons observed in the third quarter of 2017.
B.C. has seen a downward trend in people moving into the province – particularly from Alberta and Ontario – and an upward trend in people leaving the province. Improved economic conditions in other provinces and affordability factors may have played a role in this trend.
International migration trends have been much brighter. Since bottoming in late 2016, the flow of international immigrants moving permanently to Canada has risen strongly and the number of non-permanent residents has surged. The latter includes those on work permits, students and, to a lesser extent, refugees.
Four-quarter net international migration reached 59,466 persons compared with 42,787 persons in the third quarter of 2017. The province may be benefiting from a wave of interest as Canada seeks to increase immigration intakes and would-be migrants choose Canada over the U.S. due to political considerations.
Non-farm payroll data pointed to further expansion in B.C. employment and wage earnings in October heading into 2019. Average weekly earnings (seasonally adjusted) increased 0.2% (or $2.20) to $978.30, partly reversing September’s decline. While various factors contribute to headline earnings, including industry composition, experience, hours worked and occupations, the trend has risen through 2018.
Year-over-year, earnings were up 2.7%, with the underlying trend up 3%. Goods-producing sectors were up 3.1%, led by forestry (up 19%) and mining and oil and gas (up 14%). These were offset by a 2.7% dip in manufacturing and a 6% drop in utilities earnings. The services sector’s 2.6% increase in weekly earnings was led by a 7.9% surge in real estate rental and leasing, a 7.2% rise in retail trade and a 6.1% increase in accommodations and food services.
Bryan Yu is deputy chief economist at Central 1 Credit Union.
