NNSL (Jul 15/98) - The NWT has experienced its largest population drop in over a decade, Statistics Canada says.

On April 1, the latest date for which figures have been released, number crunchers estimate there were 67,117 Northerners, a decrease of 225 people, compared to a year earlier.

It's the first 12-month decline since 1987.

The 1987 drop was pinned on Pine Point mine and Inuvik military base closures. Since 1994, growth of the North's population has steadily decreased.

During the 12 months to April 1, there were 1,520 NWT births and 230 deaths. That natural increase was offset by net loss of 1,515 people due to migrating to other provinces. Some 1,564 people left the NWT over the 12 months. This was offset by international migration.

The NWT was not alone in experiencing a drop in population from April 1, 1997 to April 1, 1998. Yukon, as well as New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland also saw declines.

At April 1, 1998, Canada's population rose to 30.5 million compared to 30.2 million a year earlier.