Sask. population grew by 13,509 in 2015: Stats Canada

New data released today by Statistics Canada shows that Saskatchewan's population grew by more than 13,000last year.

The total growth from January 2015 to January 2016was13,509, boostingthe population from1,129,061to 1,142,570.

According to the data, that increase wasthe third-highest ofthe provinces on a per capita basis.

The government agency also recorded that Saskatchewan's growth in the fourth quarter of 2015 wasthe third-strongest ofthe provinces: 0.32 per cent.

Manitoba (0.41 per cent) and Alberta(0.36 per cent) were No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.

Population growth was positive in all provinces and territories, except for Yukon.

Stats Canada says that in 2015's fourth quarter, Canada's natural increase number the difference between 95,300 births and67,900deaths was27,400.