P.E.I. population growing quickly, but so is out-migration

P.E.I.'s population is growing at an increasing rate, but so is the number of people leaving the province, according to figures released Thursday by Statistics Canada.

• Immigration strong on P.E.I., but province still bleeding young people

International immigration is the factor driving growth on the Island. In the first three quarters of 2016 the province attracted 1,999 immigrants, almost 60 per cent more than the 1,265 in all of 2015.

That led to a 1.38 per cent growth rate in 2016, compared to a 0.54 per cent growth rate in 2015. Statistics Canada lists P.E.I.'s current population at 149,278.

Large numbers leaving

But while people are coming from around the world to settle on P.E.I., Islanders are leaving in large numbers for other parts of Canada.

In the first three quarters of 2016 the province had a net loss of 830 people to other provinces, compared to just 692 in all of 2015.

With international settlers outpacing losses to other provinces, however, the province remains on track to reach its target of 150,000 people by the end of 2017, or possibly sooner.

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