Record population

Saskatchewan's population grew by 4,073 in the first quarter of 2013 to reach a new all-time high of 1,093,880. Saskatchewan's rate of growth continues to be the second-fastest among all the provinces, behind only Alberta.

Economy Minister Bill Boyd said many people are continuing to move to Saskatchewan because of its many career opportunities and great quality of life.

"It's a great time to be in Saskatchewan and more and more people are recognizing this," Boyd said. "Our government is working hard to ensure that this growth continues and that we are meeting both the challenges and opportunities of a growing province."

Boyd said Saskatchewan's population will likely surpass 1.1 million people for the first time later this year and the province is on track to reach 1.2 million people by 2020. In a recent report on Saskatchewan, the Conference Board of Canada said Saskatchewan's population could reach 1.4 million by 2035.

Saskatchewan's growth of 4,073 people in the first quarter of the year was driven primarily by net international migration of 3,077. There was also a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 1,335 offset by net interprovincial outmigration of 339 people. Saskatchewan had net in-migration from every other province in Canada in the first quarter except Alberta.