Sanctus – Sanctaria’s population has grown to almost 518 million people, according to the results of the 2026 Federal Census published this evening. The Sanctarian Federal Statistics Office (SFSO) confirmed that the country’s population now stands at 517,934,289, an increase of more than 10.5 million people since the last census in 2016.
The figures represent an increase of just 2.1% over the past decade, with the SFSO noting that population growth has slowed considerably compared to previous decades. The results, which are the first to be published since Sanctaria became a federation in 2019, also reveal differences in population growth between the country’s nine states.
Novum Aeternum remains Sanctaria’s most populous state, with 83.1 million residents, followed by Galvium with 81.9 million, and Aquitanium with 79.9 million. Novum Limium, Terra Monticolarum, and Glorionis all recorded populations exceeding 75 million, while Haven remains the country’s least populous state, with just 10.2 million residents.
Although all nine states have experienced population growth, the increase has not been evenly distributed. Aquitanium recorded the largest numerical increase since 2020, adding approximately 1.3 million residents, while Sanctus experienced the fastest percentage growth, at around 3.4%. Terra Monticolarum, meanwhile, recorded the slowest increase, with its population growing by just 0.6% over the same period.
Gareth Vennick, Director-General of the SFSO, said the results showed that while Sanctaria’s population was still growing, the rate of growth was slowing, and that there were significant differences between states. “We know that Sanctaria’s population has been growing at a slower rate for some time now, and these figures confirm that trend. What is particularly interesting, however, is where that growth is happening, and where it isn’t”, Vennick said.
The census, which took place on 31 January this year, was the first conducted under the country’s current federal system. The SFSO, an independent agency operating under the Department of the Treasury, has spent much of the past nine months processing and verifying returns from households across the country, with tonight’s announcement marking the first publication of its findings.
The results could also have significant political implications, with the population of each state used to determine its allocation of seats in the federal House of Deputies. While the chamber’s 460 seats will remain unchanged, shifts in population could see some states gain additional deputies at the expense of others. Any changes to representation would be expected to take effect at the next federal election, though no announcement has yet been made on how the seats will be redistributed.
Chancellor Bethany Greer welcomed the results in a post on Chirp this evening, extending a welcome to those who had migrated to Sanctaria since the last census, and congratulating families who had welcomed new children. Greer also pledged that her government would continue investing in public services to support the country’s growing population.
Vennick also confirmed that further information, including detailed figures on age, migration, employment, housing, and household composition, would be published throughout 2027. He said the SFSO was particularly interested in examining the demographic changes behind the slowing rate of population growth, and what these might mean for the country in the years ahead.
The figures will also be used by federal and state governments to inform decisions on public spending and infrastructure, particularly in areas such as housing, healthcare, education, and transport.
RICH CORDON, National Correspondent
