5.10 – Introduction deck: The Prairie context

Prairie population

  • Young – Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are the only provinces with an average age under 40 years old (39, 39.6, and 39.3 years respectively).
  • Diverse – The Prairies are home to nearly 40% of Canada’s Indigenous population. The region attracted over 22% of Canada’s recent immigrants in 2023.

 

Industry composition

The top 5 sectors on the Prairies include:

  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (16.5%)
  • Real estate and rental leasing (11.8%)
  • Manufacturing (8.2%)
  • Construction (7.7%)
  • Health care and social assistance (7.1%)

 

Trade and exports

In 2023, the Prairies accounted for $246B of Canada’s international goods exports.

  • 89% of Prairies exports are concentrated in the United States (82%), China (5%), and Japan (2%).
  • Primary/raw materials account for 6 of the top 10 Canadian exports.

 

Economic impact

With only 18% of Canada’s population, the Prairies account for:

  • 23% of Canada’s nominal GDP.
  • 28% of Canada’s total capital expenditures.
  • 35% of Canada’s international goods exports.

The Prairies are the world’s largest producer of potash, second largest producer of uranium, and fourth largest producer of crude oil. Valued at $126B (2023), crude oil is Canada’s most valuable export.

Alberta

  • Nominal GDP: $459B (2022)
  • Population: 4.8M (Q2 2024)
  • The highest economic output per capita in Canada.
  • Oil and gas makes up a significant portion of the economy.
  • Home to Canada’s largest wind generating facility and  two largest solar facilities.

Saskatchewan

  • Nominal GDP: $114B (2022)
  • Population: 1.2M (Q2 2024)
  • Variable economic growth due to natural resource and agriculture intensity
  • Account for the largest share of Canada’s total farm area.
  • Home to critical minerals and rare earth elements that are rising in global demand.

Manitoba

  • Nominal GDP: $87B (2022)
  • Population: 1.5M (Q2 2024)
  • Steady growth in times of prosperity and minimal economic decline during recessions.
  • One of the cleanest electricity grids in the world, with power generated from hydroelectricity.
  • Diversity of exports including medicaments, wheat, seed oils, pork, and canola seeds.

Page details

2025-09-25