The latest insights on Canadian immigration indicate that people who ever fell under the immigrant category or held Canadian PR reflect 23 percent of Canada’s population.
This percentage accounts for the highest since the Confederation in 1867. This is also the highest percentage among other G7 countries. Reportedly, Canada surpassed its previous record of 1921. In that year, immigrants contributed to 22.3 percent of the Canadian population.
Statistics Canada revealed its latest immigration predictions based on the existing demographic patterns. According to these predictions, immigration will indicate 29.1 percent to 34.0 percent of the Canadian population by 2041.
Furthermore, the new Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025 confirmed the above predictions. The new immigration targets claim that Canada will soon welcome around 465,000 newcomers in 2023. In 2024, the new immigrants will receive around 485,000 new immigrants and a record-breaking figure of 500,000 new Canadian PR in 2025.
All these prominent figures concerning immigration often question the need for immigrants in Canada.
The ardent need for Canadian immigration can be understood only with two primary factors. These concern Canada’s natural population and decreased fertility rate. Overall, this current demographic pattern is affecting the Canadian labor market and negatively impact on the Canadian economy.
The latest insights on Canadian immigration- the increasing aging population
The 2021 Census for 2016 to 2021 states that the age of growing children below 15 is at least six times reduced than the aging population. Furthermore, the aging population (people aged 65 years or above) is increasing on a massive level in Canada. This figure is going up to 7 million, a rise of 18.3 percent from 2016 to 2021. The Canadian age group further represents 19 percent of the entire population.
This statistic, together with the fact that the biggest five-year growth in the number of seniors in Canada (+20%) occurred in the census reporting period right before the most recent census (2011 to 2016), indicates that the country’s population is aging quickly.
Canada’s low fertility rate
The fact that Canada’s fertility rate is lower than the population replacement level adds to the concern about negative trends in natural population growth in the country. The ratio of 2.1 children per woman is the current population replacement level. Canada’s fertility rate has been steadily declining, following a pattern that started in 2009 and hasn’t changed much since, hitting a record low of 1.4 children per woman in 2020. Canada saw the highest year-over-year increase in mortality in 2020 and the lowest number of births since 2007.
The latest insights on Canadian immigration as a solution to all current challenges
Canadian immigration is a crucial aspect of consistent economic growth and development. Those residing in a country define the national expenditure and consumption. A country can produce goods and services effectively with a robust economy. Hence, a country’s economic well-being will be negatively impacted by a weak population and a labor force shortage, limiting production and consequent spending.
An increase in the Canadian immigration level will enable to reduction of such existing problems. Consequently, the country strongly relies on immigration. Reportedly, 80 percent of the growth in the Canadian population occurred due to new immigrants in Canada. This was either in the form of permanent or temporary residents. Between 2016 and 2021, above 1.8 million individuals fell under the two categories. Increased levels or targets concerning immigration will also enable to combat of the historic labor shortages.
Reportedly, the Canadian labor market’s existing situations prevent more than half of Canadian businesses from expanding their operations. This is in comparison to 40% before the epidemic and 30% ten years ago. Fortunately, “an infusion of immigration” and “putting newcomers’ abilities to work and integrating this expertise into the Canadian workforce” will enhance the labor force’s productivity.
In the long run, immigration will assist in speeding up economic growth across the nation because it will benefit the rise in the Canadian labor force. The economy of Canada will continue to grow favorably as more new immigrants find work, make money, and eventually spend that money.
More immigration will also directly influence the expansion of the country’s economy as more foreigners, along with Canadian citizens, will pay taxes on essentials like housing, transportation, and other requirements.
