Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Canada Loses One in Five Immigrants Within 25 Years
Canada is losing many immigrants, especially the highly skilled ones, within 25 years.
This is happening because they find better job opportunities and income growth elsewhere.
The Canadian immigration system is good at attracting talent but not keeping it, which hurts the economy.
Over 25 years, Canada lost one in five immigrants due to onward migration
Highly skilled and educated immigrants leave at twice the rate of lower-skilled ones
Losses are highest within the first five years of arrival
Income growth and job opportunities are key factors in immigrants' decision to leave
Canada's immigration system struggles to retain highly-skilled newcomers
- Who
- Highly skilled and educated immigrants, especially engineers, healthcare professionals, scientists, and managers
- What
- Leaving Canada within 25 years, with the highest losses occurring within the first five years
- When
- Over the past 25 years, with the trend continuing
- Where
- Canada
- Why
- To pursue better job opportunities and income growth
Government and Advocates
Economists and Some Immigrants
Immigration Targets
Government and Advocates
The government aims to decrease immigration targets to manage population growth and integration challenges.
Economists and Some Immigrants
Economists argue that reducing immigration targets may exacerbate labor shortages and slow economic growth.
Retention Strategies
Government and Advocates
Advocates suggest improving integration programs and creating more pathways to permanent residence to retain immigrants.
Economists and Some Immigrants
Some immigrants express concerns about job opportunities, income growth, and work-life balance, which may influence their decision to stay.
- Immigration loss rate
- One in five immigrants within 25 years
- Highly skilled immigrants' departure rate
- Twice that of lower-skilled immigrants
- Time of highest losses
- Within the first five years of arrival
- Canada's 2026-2028 immigration target for students
- 155,000, a 49% decrease from the previous year's target
- Canada's 2026-2028 immigration target for temporary workers
- 230,000, a 37% decrease from the previous year's target