Demographics of the Northwest Territories

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.

Population history

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Timeline of the divisions of Canada; size of the Northwest Territories changes throughout 1870 to 1999, introducing large instant changes in its population

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	In 1870, the Rupert's Land and North-Western Territory Order , a British order in council, transfers ownership of those two areas of land from the Hudson's Bay Company to the new (1867) Dominion of Canada, becoming the North-West Territories (NWT) In 1871, Canada had 1 territory and 6 provinces
1881	56,446	n/a	17.6	7	In 1874, NWT ceded land to the expansion of the province of Ontario. In 1876, NWT ceded land to the creation of District of Keewatin. In 1880, NWT gained the British Arctic Territories, transferred to Canada from the United Kingdom. In 1881, NWT ceded land to the expansion of Manitoba. In 1881, Canada had 2 territories and 7 provinces
1891	98,967	n/a	75.3	7	In 1886, NWT gained land back from District of Keewatin. In 1891, Canada had 2 territories and 7 provinces
1901	184,430	n/a	86.4	6	In 1895, NWT ceded land to the expansion of District of Keewatin. In 1898, NWT ceded land to the creation of Yukon Territory and the expansion of the province of Quebec. In 1901, Canada had 3 territories and 7 provinces
1911	6,507	n/a	-96.5	11	In 1905, NWT ceded land to the creation of the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, while District of Keewatin rejoined NWT. In 1906, North-West Territories renamed Northwest Territories (NT) [1] In 1911, Canada had 2 territories and 9 provinces
1921	8,143	n/a	25.1	10	In 1912, NT ceded land to the expansion of the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. In 1921, Canada had 2 territories and 9 provinces
1931	9,316	n/a	14.4	10	In censuses of 1931 and 1941, Canada had 2 territories and 9 provinces
1941	12,028	n/a	29.1	10
1951	16,004	n/a	33.1	10	In censuses of 1951 through 1996, Canada had 2 territories and 10 provinces
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	In 1999, NT ceded land to the creation of Nunavut. In 2001, Canada had 3 territories and 10 provinces
2006	41,464	11.0	-35.6	11	Since 2001 census, Canada has 3 territories and 10 provinces
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]

Population geography

Ten largest population centres

Ten largest municipalities by population

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 minorities and Indigenous peoples

Indigenous identity by community, 2021

Visible minority and Indigenous population (2021 Canadian census) [7]
Population group		Population	%
European [a]		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%

Languages

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]

Religion

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%

Migration

Immigration

Northwest Territories immigration ^{[11] : 239  [12] : 108}

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]

Immigrants in Northwest Territories by country of birth

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

Net cumulative interprovincial migration per Province from 1997 to 2017, as a share of population of each Provinces

Main article: Interprovincial migration in Canada

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]}

See also

BC

AB

SK

MB

ON

QC

NB

PE

NS

NL

YT

NT

NU

Demographics of Canada's provinces and territories

• Demographics of Canada
• Population of Canada by province and territory

Notes

1. Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.

References

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2. Population urban and rural, by province and territory (Northwest Territories) Archived 2006-12-31 at the Wayback Machine . Statistics Canada, 2005.
3. Canada's population Archived November 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine . Statistics Canada. Last accessed September 28, 2006.
4. "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2011 and 2006 censuses". Statistics Canada. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2012-04-28.
5. 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.
6. "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.
7. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
8. Northwest Territories Official Languages Act, 1988 Archived March 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (as amended 1988, 1991-1992, 2003)
9. Detailed Mother Tongue (186), Knowledge of Official Languages (5), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) (2006 Census) ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
10. StatCan. "NHS Profile, Northwest Territories, 2011" . Retrieved 16 March 2021.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Province or Territory of Residence 5 Years Ago (14), Mother Tongue (8), Age Groups (16) and Sex (3) (2006 Census) Archived February 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
22. "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.