The new forecasts issued by Statistics Canada indicated that the country's population could reach 63 million by 2073, with the number of people aged 85 or older tripling.

The agency confirmed that immigration will be the main driver of population growth under all scenarios, while natural growth plays only a "marginal role" as the population ages and fertility rates remain low.

It explained that the population will rise from about 40 million in 2023 to a range between 47 million and 87 million over the next half century, with 63 million expected for moderate growth.

It added that the number of people aged 85 or older will increase from 896,600 in 2023 to between 3.3 million and 4.3 million by 2073.

The agency predicted that the populations of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec will decrease as a share of Canada's total population by 2048, under nearly all scenarios.

One scenario predicted that Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia will increase their share of the country's population.