Immigrants from Africa and Asia Outperform in Canadian Job Market: Highest Employment Rates Recorded
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Statistics Canada's study reveals a surprising shift in immigrant employment trends. African and Asian immigrants lead in employment rates for ages 15-25 and 54+, while those from Europe, Latin America, and North America excel in the 25-54 age group. Cultural influences during education may contribute to these variations, warranting further research.
In a recently conducted study by Statistics Canada - the findings unveiled that landed immigrants from Africa and Asia exhibit notably higher employment rates on average, surpassing candidates from other regions globally.
*Landed Immigrants is the term used by Statistics Canada to address permanent residents. Individuals with temporary statuses (people on work permits and students), natural-born or neutralization citizens of Canada do not qualify for the group of this technical term.
Statistics Canada Report: Findings
In this comprehensive examination of the employment landscape for immigrants aged between 15 years and above in Canada, the study delved into the varying rates across the different global regions. The findings of 2023 have revealed noteworthy rates among the newcomer groups:
- Africa: 67.7% employment
- Asia: 66.3% employment
- Latin America: 66% employment
- North America: 56.6% employment
- Europe: 56.6% employment
These readings are subject to the cohort wherein the national employment rate was recorded to be at 62.7%
The study's findings remained consistent across genders, with data exclusively focusing on males reflecting the same regional employment order as the overall immigrant population aged 15 and above.
However, when specifically considering females, a notable shift occurred, placing Latin America in second place for employment rates, with Asia following closely in third. Despite this exception, the remaining results for females closely mirrored those observed in the two previous cohorts.
Also Read: New Study Permit and Work Permit Updates for International Students in Canada
Core-Aged Working Population: Inverse Trends Emerge
Turning the spotlight on the core-aged working population, the study uncovered a fascinating reversal of trends. Notably, when narrowing the focus to individuals aged 25-54, the employment rates by region in 2023 exhibited a nearly complete inversion compared to the broader demographic.
Here are the core-aged employment rates by region for immigrants in 2023:
- Europe: 88.3% employment
- Latin America: 82.8% employment
- North America: 82.7% employment
- Asia: 81.7% employment
- Africa: 79.8% employment
These readings are subject to the cohort wherein the national employment rate was recorded to be at 82.6%
The study's discoveries held true for both men and women in this age group. When focusing solely on females within this demographic, the order of employment rates remained unchanged. However, for males in the same age group, there was a switch, with North America taking the second spot and Latin America moving to the third position in terms of employment rates.
Statistics Canada Report: Analysis
The shift in employment rates among immigrants suggests a notable trend: those from Africa and Asia are more likely to secure jobs at ages 15-25 and beyond 54, compared to their counterparts from other regions.
On the flip side, immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and North America demonstrate a higher likelihood of employment between the ages of 25 and 54, indicating a strong fit for the labor market during these years.
This divergence in employment rates, reflected in the significant gap between national averages (62.7% vs. 82.6% national employment), could potentially be attributed to cultural differences during the school years.
The data hints that immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and North America might have focused more on education between ages 15-25, while those from Asia and Africa appeared more inclined to find employment during their studies.
However, further investigation is needed to confirm this hypothesis. This distinction could clarify why certain regional groups showed lower scores in the "15 and over" category but experienced substantial increases when considering core-aged workers.
Importantly, immigrants from all regions saw improvements in employment rates during these core-aged years.
Also Read: Canada Unveils Major Reforms in Visa Regulations for International Students
Explore Canada's Job Market as a Skilled Foreign Worker
Foreign workers are integral to Canada's labor force, constituting a substantial portion. As of December 2022, the country hosted 797,225 valid work permit holders, reflecting a 108% increase in the past decade.
Canada has also witnessed significant growth in its international student population, reaching nearly 1 million in 2023. Recognizing their valuable contributions, Canada has extended work-hour allowances for international students through 2024.
Seeking the assistance of a righteous immigration expert like GetGIS not only ensures that you have picked the right immigration gateway/options but also that your immigration journey is timely, transparent, and hassle-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the top jobs for immigrants in Canada?
In 2023, the most common occupations for new immigrants were food service supervisors, software engineers, and administrative assistants.
Q2. How do immigrants impact Canada's economy?
Immigrants contribute significantly to Canada's economy by filling labor gaps, paying taxes, and stimulating spending on goods and services, which funds essential services like healthcare and education.
Q3. Is finding a job difficult for immigrants in Canada?
While finding a job in one's field in Canada can be challenging, the country is open to global talent, and many newcomers have proven success with proper preparation.
Q4. What fields offer easy job opportunities in Canada?
High-paying job opportunities in engineering, technology, business, healthcare, and education make Canada an attractive destination for employment, given its strong economy and low unemployment rate.
Q5. What are the easiest ways to work in Canada?
The easiest pathways include family sponsorship, study permits, work permits, the Start-up Visa program, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and considerations for humanitarian and compassionate circumstances, as well as the Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) program.