Exploring why many immigrants choose to leave Canada
Since the late 1980s, Canada has attracted immigrants worldwide with its promise of a better life, though not all choose to stay permanently despite its welcoming policy and opportunities.
A recent study by Statistics Canada, titled ‘Emigration of Immigrants: Results from the Longitudinal Immigration Database,’ analyzing the period from 1982 to 2017, discovered that over 15 percent of immigrants left Canada within 20 years of landing.
This period of emigration, peaking between three to seven years after arrival, often aligns with the challenges of integrating into Canadian society, including finding employment, housing, and adapting to new cultural and social environments.
The study indicates significant variation in the propensity to leave among immigrants from different countries and those admitted under various categories. Immigrants born in Taiwan, the United States, France, Hong Kong, or Lebanon, and those in the investor and entrepreneur categories, were more likely to emigrate.
More than 25 percent of immigrants from these countries and over 40 percent of investors and 30 percent of entrepreneurs left within two decades of arrival, suggesting higher standards of living in their home countries or a broader migration strategy, and indicating a high level of mobility or an initial intention not to settle permanently in Canada.
The Demographic Estimates Program, which releases quarterly estimates on the number of emigrants, continues to closely monitor these trends. These figures are crucial for understanding the dynamic nature of Canadian immigration and its impact on the country's population growth and regional demographics.
This effort is vital for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance strategies and policies for immigrant retention and integration, ensuring Canada remains an attractive destination
