Canada Emigration Shift: Refugees Settle As Skilled Immigrants Depart

In 2024, more than 851,000 people left Canada. Many were skilled workers and students who once saw Canada as their future home. Early 2025 data already shows an even steeper rise, with over 236,000 departures in the first three months alone.

For the first time in decades, more people are leaving Canada than arriving. Population growth stalled at zero in early 2025, the slowest pace since the 1940s.

Why Immigrants Are Leaving

High housing costs top the list. In Ontario, a one-bedroom rental averages $2,200 per month. Wages often fail to cover these costs, especially for newcomers facing delays in credential recognition.

Job shortages add to the frustration. Youth unemployment now stands at 13%. Many trained professionals cannot work in their fields due to licensing barriers. Groceries and utilities also climbed sharply, draining savings and pushing families to consider other countries.

Provincial Impact Varies

Ontario and British Columbia lead the outflow, with hundreds of thousands leaving since 2022. Toronto and Vancouver face especially heavy losses due to housing costs.

Some provinces fare better. Alberta gained population through energy jobs. Saskatchewan and Manitoba hold stronger retention rates, thanks to lower housing prices and family networks. The Atlantic provinces, however, risk losing 30% of new arrivals from special immigration programs by 2050.

The Economic Cost

Canada spends thousands of dollars to support each new arrival. When skilled workers leave, those investments vanish. Experts estimate billions lost in taxes, business growth, and innovation. Sectors like technology and healthcare already feel the pressure, with trained workers moving abroad for higher pay.

Government plans now aim to reduce temporary residents and limit new arrivals to stabilize housing and jobs. Critics argue this will not solve deeper issues without faster credential recognition, stronger support for integration, and more affordable housing.

Looking Ahead

Canada’s immigration story has always been one of growth and reinvention. But the current wave of departures marks a turning point. Without bold action, the country risks losing its global edge. For now, refugees and family-sponsored immigrants remain more likely to stay. But skilled workers—the very group Canada depends on—are voting with their feet.