More young people moving out of Atlantic Canada as seniors move in: study

A moving truck being loaded. (CTV file photo)

Atlantic Canada’s younger, working-age residents are moving out of the region for other parts of Canada, according to a new study.

The study from the right-leaning Fraser Institute found the Atlantic provinces are also receiving a large inflow of older working and retirement-aged Canadians.

“Despite a brief change during COVID, Atlantic Canada has since reverted to its historical pattern,” says Fred McMahon, senior fellow at the Frasier Institute and author of the study, in a news release.

Before COVID-19, the report found the Atlantic provinces attracted an average of 986 seniors per year, compared to a loss of 1,216 working-age Canadians between 25 and 39.

The report marks a change from the norm during the pandemic. From 2020 to 2023, the annual migration into Atlantic Canada of those 55 years old and over increased to 5,565 per year, compared to 3,152 residents between 25 and 39 moving in.

“However, critically, by the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025, 55+ migration was 2,904 compared to a loss of -1,203 in the 25 to 29 demographic, suggesting a return to the status quo,” reads the news release from the Fraser Institute.

McMahon says the study’s findings underscore a need for policies that will generate economic opportunities to attract younger residents in that age group.

“Should these numbers in the region continue to reflect its historical norm, it could mean negative implications for the economic future of Atlantic Canada,” he says.