OTTAWA - Low fertility and immigration rates in the Atlantic provinces have left the region's population virtually unchanged.
Census figures released today show a population decrease across Atlantic Canada of about 1,000 people since 2001.
Newfoundland and Labrador lost the most residents in the region.
Fertility rates there remained the lowest in the country, averaging 1.3 children per woman since 2001.
Prince Edward Island, Canada's least populous province, grew by more than 500 people.
Nova Scotia, the most populous Atlantic province, posted 0.6 per cent growth, while New Brunswick had a 0.1 per cent rate of growth.
The Atlantic provinces make up 7.2 per cent of Canada's population -- they accounted for 11 per cent in 1956.
Five years ago, when the most recent set of census figures were released, Newfoundland reported the biggest population decline for any province or territory.
The province lost 40,000 people, or seven per cent, of its population between 1996 and 2001.
