According to Statistics Canada, the Yukon surpassed the Northwest Territories as Canada's most populous territory by a margin of about 388 residents.
According to the latest demographic estimates (New window), the Yukon has a population of 45,148, while the Northwest Territories have a population of 44,760.
Yukon saw an increase of about 1,000 people between 2022 and 2023. This increase is mainly due to international migrants and births.
The Call of the North
A new resident, Gemma Davis, moved to Whitehorse from Red Deer, Alberta, last fall. It's a bit cliché, but the move was inspired by a calling to the north, she says.
There is a lot of open space here, which we liked. Additionally, we had heard nothing but good things about the Whitehorse community and it seemed like a good choice.
She adds that she immediately felt at home in Whitehorse. There is excitement, life, people moving everywhere.
Yukon, popular with immigrants
According to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, the territory's population has increased by 50% since 2003.
Between 2022 and 2023, international migrants are mainly responsible for the territory's demographic growth. This includes both permanent residents and non-permanent residents, such as work or study visa holders.
A smaller proportion of the growth is due to the natural increase resulting from the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths.
Thahaseem Kadankandagath moved to the Carmacks community two months ago after a stay in Vancouver, British Columbia.
He said the Yukon offered better prospects for his permanent residency application.
Things get difficult when you live in big cities like Vancouver or Toronto because they don't have much of an inclination to accept skilled immigrants like me who are over 35 and have lived in different countries, he notes.
Mr Kadankandagath said he was amazed at the kindness of the people he met when he arrived in Whitehorse.
They really welcomed me with a smile, he says.
They really focus on customer service. I completed all of my administrative procedures, such as transferring my driver's license, applying for a bank account, and applying for health insurance, in half an hour. Generally [c’est] incredible compared to British Columbia.
More Canadians are leaving the Yukon than settling there
Data from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics shows that more people are leaving the Yukon to live in other parts of Canada than people are moving there from the country.
According to figures collected through mid-2023, more than half of the arrivals were people from British Columbia and Ontario.
Darci Nyal, who moved to Whitehorse from Ucluelet, British Columbia, in April, was struck by the sense of space she found in the Yukon.
It's very quiet at night and we like to go out into nature, as far away from people as possible. And that is becoming increasingly difficult on Vancouver Island.
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Landscape near Carcross, about 70 kilometers south of Whitehorse. Darci Nyal, who moved to the Yukon in April, says she was impressed by the feeling of space: “It's really quiet at night and we love going out into the wilderness.”
Photo: Provided by Marianna Berko
Kaylee Alton, who arrived from Ontario in the fall, believes the Yukon offers a work-life balance that her home province didn't.
The lack of development of sprawling cities creates the impression of a more intact and wild nature, she notes. This can also lead to easier access to nature and outdoor activities.
There is a feeling of solidarity between the people who live here and have to brave the elements. There is also a slower way of life and a slower pace.
According to Yukon figures, Alberta is the most popular destination for those leaving the Yukon, followed by British Columbia.
With information from Katie Todd
