Canada Breaks Immigration Record with Over 480,000 New Residents in 2024

In 2024, Canada made history by admitting a record-breaking 483,395 new permanent residents, nearly reaching its target of 485,000. This marks a significant milestone in Canada's immigration policy, reflecting the country’s ongoing commitment to growth through immigration.

Over the past decade, Canada’s immigration numbers have steadily increased, with only a few dips due to global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. The data from 2024 highlights where these newcomers are settling, which countries they are coming from, and how Canada's immigration system has evolved to meet the country's economic and demographic needs.

Canada’s immigration numbers have seen consistent growth since 2015. For instance, in 2023, the country surpassed its goal of 465,000 permanent residents, demonstrating effective planning and implementation of immigration policies. The sharp rise from 2020 to 2021, from 341,000 to 401,000 new permanent residents, is an example of Canada’s recovery from the global pandemic and its efforts to ramp up immigration to strengthen the workforce.

The monthly breakdown for 2024 shows varying trends in permanent resident admissions, with January and May seeing the highest numbers. January recorded 47,765 new residents, while May followed closely with 46,850. The lowest intake occurred in February, with only 39,105 new permanent residents. The months between April and July saw the most significant spikes, with July reaching the peak of 47,870 new PRs, which could be attributed to factors like favorable travel conditions or improved processing efficiency.

By the end of the year, the numbers tapered off, with December having the lowest intake of 31,860 new PRs, possibly due to the holiday season and administrative slowdowns.

Regarding the countries of origin, India remained the largest source country for newcomers to Canada, though there was a slight drop from 139,790 in 2023 to 127,320 in 2024. Other countries that showed growth include the Philippines, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Eritrea. Notably, Cameroon saw an impressive 81.43% increase in its immigration numbers, possibly due to targeted programs and greater awareness of Canada’s immigration pathways.

In terms of provincial distribution, Ontario continues to lead with the highest number of new residents (205,700), though this marked a slight decrease from 2023. Alberta and Quebec saw notable increases, with Alberta showing a 15.20% rise in permanent residents, likely due to its strong economic sectors such as oil and gas. The Atlantic provinces, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, also reported significant growth, with New Brunswick experiencing the highest increase of 35.17%.

Cities like Toronto and Vancouver have traditionally attracted the most new permanent residents, but 2024 saw a decline in these cities. Toronto experienced an 8.30% decrease, and Vancouver faced a 13.37% drop, which might reflect factors such as high living costs. On the other hand, cities like Ottawa, Calgary, and Moncton reported substantial growth, with Ottawa’s 28.28% increase being the highest.

Looking ahead to 2025, Canada plans to admit 395,000 new permanent residents, and the target for 2026 is 380,000. There were 836,900 permanent residency applications still under processing as of December 31, 2024, indicating that Canada is well on track to meet its future immigration goals. However, with high competition and longer processing times, newcomers may face challenges in securing permanent residency in the coming years.

Canada’s immigration system is thriving, attracting newcomers from all corners of the globe. As the country continues to welcome new residents, it will be crucial to monitor their integration into Canadian society and how regions adapt to these changes.