Canada’s balance between emigrants vs immigrants has reached a critical tipping point. A staggering 851,000 people—many of them skilled newcomers—left the country in 2024 alone, signaling a troubling shift in migration patterns.
In fact, the exodus continues to accelerate. During the first quarter of 2025, 27,086 permanent residents and citizens emigrated, marking the second-highest Q1 departure total in eight years. When we add non-permanent resident outflows of 209,400, the quarterly departure figure reaches an alarming 236,000. Consequently, annual departures now outpace immigration inflows, flipping net migration negative for the first time in years.
Understanding the difference between immigrants vs emigrants definition is crucial to grasp what’s happening: while Canada still welcomes newcomers, it’s simultaneously losing talent at an unprecedented rate. Permanent resident and citizen emigration has stabilized at approximately 103,000-106,000 annually from 2023-2024, but non-permanent resident departures have surged dramatically—increasing 82% from 408,722 in 2022 to 745,306 in 2024.
Why this mass departure? Economic factors lead the way—48% of those leaving are economic migrants pursuing American salaries that are 30-50% higher. Additionally, housing costs have skyrocketed 40% since 2020, with immigrants 38% more likely to consider leaving according to polls. In Ontario, a one-bedroom apartment now averages $2,200, creating national affordability ratios of 9:1 for earnings-to-price.
In this article, we’ll explore the forces driving this exodus, the human stories behind the statistics, and what this trend means for Canada’s economic future.
A Growing Trend: Skilled Immigrants Are Leaving Canada
The emigration of people from Canada has evolved into a significant demographic phenomenon, reaching its highest level in decades. Looking at the numbers tells a compelling story of changing migration patterns that may reshape Canada’s future.
Recent statistics on emigration
The emigration of individuals from Canada has reached notable heights in recent years. In 2024 alone, 106,134 Canadians permanently left the country, marking a 3.0% increase from 2023 and a 17.3% rise compared to 2019 levels. The fourth quarter of 2024 saw 24,533 Canadians depart, representing a 30% increase from the same period in 2019.
Furthermore, this trend appears to be accelerating. The first quarter of 2025 recorded 27,086 emigrations—continuing an upward trajectory from 25,394 in Q1 2022, to 25,536 in Q1 2023, and 26,293 in Q1 2024. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that economic immigrants—those specifically selected for their skills and qualifications—constitute nearly half (48.1%) of all those leaving.
How this trend has changed over time
The phenomenon of immigrants leaving Canada is not new, yet its scale has evolved significantly. Throughout history, Canada has experienced varying levels of emigration. Between 1946 and 1970, approximately 30% of immigrants departed Canada. During the 1960s, this trend intensified, with about 27.5% of immigrants who arrived between 1961 and 1971 leaving the country—higher than the 23% rate observed in the previous decade.
Historically, studies show that emigration rates continued to climb through the decades. The 1990s saw a significant increase, with cohorts admitted between 1990 and 1995 demonstrating higher departure rates than previous groups. This upward trajectory persisted into the new millennium, with approximately 150,000 immigrants leaving between 2001 and 2006, escalating to almost 250,000 between 2006 and 2011.
Research indicates that from 1982 to 2017, 5.1% of immigrants left within five years of arrival, with this figure rising dramatically to 17.5% after 20 years. The likelihood of departure typically peaks between three to seven years after admission.
Immigrants vs emigrants definition
Understanding the distinction between immigrants and emigrants provides essential context for interpreting migration statistics. An immigrant refers to a landed immigrant—a person who has been granted the right by immigration authorities to live permanently in Canada but does not possess Canadian citizenship. This category includes permanent residents and landed immigrants.
On the other hand, an emigrant is defined as a Canadian citizen or immigrant who has left Canada to establish permanent residence in another country. This distinction becomes particularly important when analyzing who is leaving and why.
The emigration phenomenon encompasses several subcategories worth noting. These include returning emigrants (Canadian citizens or immigrants who previously emigrated but subsequently returned), and temporary emigrants (those living temporarily abroad without maintaining a usual residence in Canada). Non-permanent residents—individuals holding study or work permits, minister’s permits, or claiming refugee status—represent another significant group in migration statistics.
What makes today’s emigration trend particularly concerning is not just its scale but its composition. Those most likely to leave include highly educated individuals, especially those with graduate degrees, and those proficient in English or French. Investors and entrepreneurs also demonstrate higher emigration rates, representing a potential loss of economic drivers for the Canadian economy.
The Numbers Behind the Exodus
Beneath the surface of Canada’s changing migration story lies a wealth of revealing data that paints a clearer picture of who’s leaving and why. The numbers tell a compelling tale of a country experiencing unprecedented population shifts as both citizens and newcomers increasingly seek opportunities elsewhere.
Annual departure rates from 2022 to 2025
The exodus of people from Canada has steadily intensified over recent years. In 2024, a total of 106,134 citizens and permanent residents permanently left Canada, representing a 3.0% increase from the previous year and 17.3% higher than 2019 levels. This marked the highest emigration level since at least 1967—more than two generations ago.
Looking at quarterly data, the first quarter of 2025 saw 27,086 citizens and permanent residents emigrate from Canada. This represents the second-highest first-quarter total since 2017 and continues an upward trajectory from previous years (25,394 in Q1 2022, rising to 26,293 in Q1 2024).
More striking yet is the departure of non-permanent residents. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 209,400 non-permanent residents left Canada—a dramatic 54% increase compared to the 135,360 who departed during the same period in 2024. This trend reflects a broader pattern; the last quarter of 2024 alone saw 28,341 temporary residents leave.
Permanent residents vs non-permanent residents
The distinction between permanent and non-permanent resident departures reveals important nuances in Canada’s emigration story. As of April 1, 2025, there were 2,959,825 non-permanent residents in Canada (7.1% of the total population), down from a peak of 7.4% in October 2024. This represents a decline of 61,111 non-permanent residents since January 2025—the largest quarterly decrease since pandemic-era restrictions in 2020.
Most telling is which groups are leaving. The largest decrease came from study permit holders, with 53,669 fewer in the first quarter of 2025. This decline was most pronounced in Ontario (-30,160) and British Columbia (-11,742). Meanwhile, work permit holders declined only slightly to 1,453,481 (-5,114).
For British Columbia specifically, the first quarter of 2025 saw a net outflow of 10,921 non-permanent residents—the largest such outflow since the COVID-19 pandemic. The province also experienced 3,804 net emigrants leaving for international destinations, the highest level since early 2017.
Departure trends by immigration class
Not all immigrants are equally likely to leave Canada. Research spanning from 1982 to 2017 reveals that more than 15% of immigrants admitted to Canada emigrated within 20 years of admission. However, this proportion varies significantly by immigration class.
Notably, over 40% of immigrants admitted in the investor category and 30% of those in the entrepreneur category emigrated within 20 years. In contrast, immigrants admitted under refugee or caregiver categories demonstrated much lower emigration rates.
Education level emerges as a key predictor of emigration likelihood. A clear “gradient” exists where more highly educated immigrants demonstrate significantly higher probabilities of leaving Canada. Similarly, immigrants who previously held temporary status in Canada before obtaining permanent residency showed higher emigration rates.
The data paints a concerning picture for Canada’s ability to retain talent, primarily because those most likely to leave are often the most economically valuable. This creates a challenging dynamic in the emigrants vs immigrants balance that threatens Canada’s long-term prosperity.
The Human Side: Stories of Disappointment and Departure
Behind every statistic in Canada’s emigration story is a human face and personal struggle. As immigrants transition from hopeful newcomers to disillusioned emigrants, their journeys reveal the harsh realities driving Canada’s talent exodus.
Housing struggles and unaffordable rent
“I was just a shadow of myself,” recalls Jacqueline Addo, who with her husband Joshua, faced overwhelming financial pressures after moving from Ghana to Canada. Despite Canada’s promises, many families discover that astronomical housing costs make survival nearly impossible. Indeed, Statistics Canada reports that housing affordability has eroded dramatically, with newcomers 38% more likely to consider leaving due to these pressures.
The housing crisis hits hardest in major immigration hubs—Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal—where supply cannot match demand. For newcomers like Misbah Noor, this means “living in a small apartment with little furniture” while struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, despite policy initiatives like federal GST rebates on rental construction, the pace of in-migration makes it virtually impossible for housing supply to keep pace.
Job market mismatch and credential issues
Despite Canada’s skilled immigration system, many newcomers discover their foreign credentials hold little value. Approximately 26.7% of recent immigrants with bachelor’s degrees end up in positions requiring only a high school diploma—three times higher than Canadian-born workers with similar education.
The credential recognition process remains “long and complex,” often involving prohibitive costs for application fees, document translation, and additional training. For professionals like Vasantha, the promise of Canada’s opportunities quickly evaporates: “With your qualifications you can always find a job…but that didn’t really happen”.
For racialized groups, these barriers intensify. Newcomers who are Arab, West Asian or Black experience significantly higher unemployment rates, especially women. As one immigrant noted, “It actually affects their aspiration and affects their self-esteem”.
Mental health and burnout among newcomers
The psychological toll of immigration struggles manifests in alarming ways. Mental Health Research Canada found new Canadians are almost twice as likely to express concerns about feeding their families compared to those born in Canada. This food insecurity, coupled with isolation from support networks, leads to higher rates of mental health challenges.
Many immigrants experience what researchers call the “immigrant paradox”—arriving with better mental health than Canadian-born counterparts, only to see it deteriorate over time. The gap between expectations and reality creates profound psychological distress: “I lost almost 22 pounds due to stress and ate less to save money,” shares one immigrant.
For children of immigrants, the pressure to succeed creates its own mental health burden, with many experiencing burnout from trying to justify their parents’ sacrifices.
What’s Driving the Exit? Key Reasons Explained
The rapid shift in Canada’s emigrants vs immigrants balance stems from five interconnected systemic challenges that have fundamentally altered the immigrant experience.
Housing affordability crisis
First and foremost, the housing affordability crisis has reached unprecedented levels. In major urban centers, home prices have skyrocketed by 40% since 2020, creating an affordability ratio of 9:1 (home price to annual income) – among the highest in the developed world. In Ontario, one-bedroom apartments now average $2,200 monthly, consuming 60-70% of a typical immigrant’s starting income. Given these points, it’s unsurprising that immigrants are 38% more likely than native-born Canadians to cite housing costs as their primary reason for considering departure.
Cost of living and inflation
Beyond housing, overall inflation has exacerbated financial pressures. Grocery prices have risen 22% since 2021, while real wages have stagnated. Essential services like childcare remain prohibitively expensive, with Toronto rates averaging $1,800 monthly per child. Moreover, immigrants report spending 15-20% more of their income on basic necessities than established residents, primarily because they lack established credit histories and pay higher interest rates on loans and rentals.
Unrecognized foreign credentials
As shown by recent studies, foreign credential recognition remains a formidable barrier. Essentially, 26% of university-educated immigrants work in jobs requiring only high school education, compared to 8% of Canadian-born counterparts. Medical professionals face particularly steep hurdles, with only 19% of internationally-trained physicians successfully entering practice in Canada despite severe healthcare shortages.
Policy changes and permit backlogs
Policy fluctuations have created additional uncertainty. Processing times for work permit renewals have doubled since 2021, with many applications taking 10+ months. The 2023 international student cap and the 2024 temporary foreign worker program restrictions have left many in administrative limbo. Vis a vis comparable economies, Canada now has among the longest processing times for immigration documentation.
Better opportunities abroad
Above all, alternative destinations offer compelling advantages. The United States provides salaries 30-50% higher for comparable positions, particularly in technology and healthcare. Engineers, physicians, and tech professionals choosing the US over Canada report 42% higher disposable income after accounting for all living expenses. For many skilled immigrants, the calculation becomes straightforward: similar cultural adjustment with substantially greater economic reward.
Where It Hurts Most: Regional and Economic Impact
The geographic pattern of Canada’s emigration crisis reveals where talent loss hurts most severely, creating uneven impacts that threaten regional development and national prosperity.
Ontario and British Columbia losses
The exodus has struck hardest in Canada’s most populous provinces. In early 2025, Ontario experienced its largest quarterly population decline on record with 5,664 residents lost. British Columbia similarly recorded its biggest historical population drop with 2,357 residents departing. Throughout both provinces, international students led the outflow, with Ontario losing 30,160 and British Columbia shedding 11,742 study permit holders in just one quarter. Most concerning, these departures were concentrated in major urban centers where immigrants typically establish themselves.
Atlantic Canada’s retention challenges
The Atlantic region faces uniquely difficult retention struggles. Prince Edward Island maintains Canada’s lowest immigrant retention rate at just 43%. Throughout the region, newcomers frequently relocate to Ontario after brief stays. This pattern stems primarily from limited economic opportunities, with Atlantic provinces typically offering seasonal, labor-intensive employment with lower wages. As economist Herb Emery notes, “What we’ve tried to prioritize is filling the lower-wage jobs that Canadians don’t want”.
Economic cost of losing skilled workers
The financial toll of this emigration is substantial. Canada’s skill shortages reduced national productivity by 0.1 percentage points in 2024, costing the economy CAD 3.62 billion. Manufacturing alone lost nearly CAD 18.11 billion due to labor shortages, with companies reporting both lost contracts (CAD 10.03 billion) and canceled investments (CAD 7.52 billion). These losses hit hardest in healthcare, education, and skilled trades—precisely where immigrant talent could help.
Impact on population growth and GDP
Canada’s demographic future hangs in balance. By 2032, immigration will drive 100% of population growth. Nevertheless, the first quarter of 2025 saw just 20,107 total population growth—the second-slowest quarterly increase since 1946. This stagnation threatens economic viability considering Canada’s construction sector alone needs 352,000 new workers by 2033. Unless the immigrants vs emigrants definition shifts back toward net inflows, Canada’s GDP growth and innovation capacity face serious long-term constraints.
Also read : Canada Immigration: 2025 Document Cancellation Rules
Conclusion
Canada stands at a critical crossroads as the balance between those arriving and those departing shifts dramatically. The data paints a concerning picture – 851,000 people left in 2024 alone, with departures now exceeding arrivals for the first time in years. This reversal threatens the very foundation of Canada’s growth strategy.
The factors driving this exodus remain predominantly economic. Housing costs have surged 40% since 2020, creating unsustainable cost-of-living pressures for newcomers. Additionally, credential recognition barriers force many highly educated immigrants into positions far below their qualifications. The lure of 30-50% higher salaries in the United States further compounds these challenges.
Most troubling perhaps is who chooses to leave. Highly educated professionals, especially those with graduate degrees and strong language skills, depart at the highest rates. Their exodus creates a double loss – Canada loses both its initial investment in attracting these immigrants and their future economic contributions.
Regional disparities tell an equally worrying story. Ontario and British Columbia bear the heaviest losses, while Atlantic Canada struggles with chronically low retention rates. These patterns undermine targeted immigration strategies designed to spread population growth across the country.
The economic consequences cannot be overstated. Skill shortages reduced national productivity in 2024, costing billions in lost output. Looking ahead, sectors like healthcare, education, and skilled trades face deepening workforce gaps precisely when demographic trends make immigrant talent most essential.
Canada must address these challenges head-on before the current trickle becomes an unstoppable flood. Without meaningful reform to housing affordability, credential recognition, and competitive compensation, the country risks watching its carefully cultivated talent pipeline transform into a talent export program instead. The long-term implications for Canada’s economic vitality and demographic sustainability hang in the balance as this unprecedented exodus continues.
Key Takeaways
Canada faces an unprecedented talent crisis as skilled immigrants leave at record rates, threatening the country’s economic future and demographic stability.
• Record exodus underway: 851,000 people left Canada in 2024, with departures now exceeding arrivals for the first time in years, marking the highest emigration since 1967.
• Economic factors drive departures: Housing costs surged 40% since 2020, while US salaries offer 30-50% higher pay, making Canada increasingly uncompetitive for skilled talent.
• Credential barriers waste talent: 26% of university-educated immigrants work in high school-level jobs due to complex foreign credential recognition processes, triple the rate of Canadian-born workers.
• High-value workers leaving most: Nearly half (48%) of emigrants are economic migrants, with highly educated professionals and entrepreneurs showing the highest departure rates within 3-7 years.
• Massive economic cost: Skill shortages reduced national productivity by 0.1 percentage points in 2024, costing CAD 3.62 billion, while manufacturing alone lost nearly CAD 18 billion.
Without urgent reforms to housing affordability, credential recognition, and competitive compensation, Canada risks transforming its immigration success story into a talent export program that undermines long-term prosperity.
FAQs
Q1. Why are skilled immigrants leaving Canada in record numbers? Skilled immigrants are departing Canada due to a combination of economic factors, including a housing affordability crisis, high cost of living, and better salary opportunities abroad. Many find that their foreign credentials are not recognized, limiting their career prospects.
Q2. What impact does this exodus have on Canada’s economy? The departure of skilled immigrants is causing significant economic losses. In 2024, skill shortages reduced national productivity by 0.1 percentage points, costing the economy CAD 3.62 billion. Key sectors like healthcare, education, and skilled trades are facing deepening workforce gaps.
Q3. Which regions in Canada are most affected by this emigration trend? Ontario and British Columbia are experiencing the largest population declines due to emigration. In early 2025, Ontario recorded its largest quarterly population drop on record. Atlantic Canada also faces unique retention challenges, with Prince Edward Island having the country’s lowest immigrant retention rate at 43%.
Q4. How does Canada’s emigration rate compare to its immigration rate? For the first time in years, Canada’s emigration rate is exceeding its immigration rate. In 2024, 851,000 people left the country, marking the highest emigration level since 1967. This shift threatens Canada’s long-term population growth and economic strategies.
Q5. What solutions could help retain skilled immigrants in Canada? To retain skilled immigrants, Canada needs to address key issues such as housing affordability, streamline foreign credential recognition processes, and ensure competitive compensation. Improving quality of life factors and creating more opportunities for career advancement could also help in retaining this valuable talent pool.
