According to statistics Canada, a continual stream of immigrants from all over the world will cause Canada’s population to increase by as much as nearly double to 57 million people by the year 2068.
Canada’s population grew rapidly between 2016 and 2021, more than doubling the rate of all other G7 nations. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a slowdown in population growth until 2020, but in the first quarter of 2022, Canada experienced its most first-quarter inflow of immigrants since 1990.
Strategy for Increasing Immigration
Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, the largest in its history, has set a goal of over 450,000 newly arrived immigrants year by 2024 to help keep its population at a level that can be maintained. The economy of Canada is strongly dependent on immigration. Baby boomers, who make up the majority of Canadians of working age, are rapidly approaching the retirement age of 65. By 2030, nine million Canadians are slated to enter retirement.
Increased population in the Maritimes, Quebec, and British Columbia
With more immigration, certain provinces can anticipate population expansion even in the case of low growth. Over the coming years, there will probably be an increase in immigration, which will be advantageous for the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, as well as Quebec and British Columbia. The research asserts that Newfoundland and Labrador would continue to see population declines in all scenarios.
The Labour Shortage in Canada
As the unemployment rate is at a historic 4.9% and there are more than one million open positions shows that Canada experiences a labor shortage. According to the research, some Canadians want to see a more comprehensive Immigration Levels Plan to help alleviate the shortage’s consequences. Some others feel that this needs to be balanced, though, with the present lack of affordable infrastructure and housing issues.
People are growing older
According to the majority of reports, Canadians are 41 years of age on average. The median age in Canada is predicted to rise to 45 by 2068, while the proportion of over-the-hill Canadians is predicted to treble, from 871,000 to 3.2 million, from the current level. Retirement-age Canadians will make up 26% of the country’s population. In light of this, Statistics Canada predicts that an aging population will be inevitable over the next 50 years, even with additional immigration.
According to Statistics, despite a scenario with moderate development, the birth rate could decrease between 2049 to 2058 as a result of rising child mortality. In other words, Canada can anticipate more deaths than births for the next nine to ten years.
To encourage the best talents, Canada is making an effort
One of the main challenges over the next few years will be a rise in the population’s youth ratio, although with high immigration objectives. Given that Canadian couples have historically low birth rates, with the average number of children per woman being at 1.4 in 2020, the pace of natural population increase (births minus deaths) is anticipated to continue to drop.
Younger, working-age Canadians made up a larger number of new immigrants, inter-regional migrants, and temporary residents, according to the latest Annual Statistical Forecasts study. In actuality, those 18 to 34 years old made up the bulk of non-permanent residents in 2021. In order to draw younger immigrants and keep them in Canada, IRCC works hard. For instance, candidates between the ages of 20 and 29 receive the maximum age points under Canada’s Express Entry System’s Comprehensive Ranking System. The immigration program in Canada also favors applicants with Canadian experiences, such as recent graduates from abroad who are typically younger.
