How Many Immigrants Came to Canada in Last 10 Years (2024)

349 Canada has welcomed an incredible number of new permanent residents over the past decade. If you are thinking about immigrating to Canada, these numbers tell an encouraging story. Canada is not just talking about welcoming immigrants — they are actually doing it. From 2015 to 2025, Canada admitted over 3.8 million new permanent residents. That is more than the entire population of British Columbia! This decade saw the highest immigration levels in Canadian history. Let's break down these numbers so you understand exactly what happened and what it means for your own immigration journey.

📊 Year-by-Year Immigration Numbers

The numbers show a clear upward trend. In 2015, Canada welcomed about 271,000 new permanent residents. By 2025, that number had nearly doubled. Here is how the decade unfolded:

Here is the complete year-by-year breakdown of Canada's permanent resident admissions:

The 2024 number — 483,640 — is now confirmed as Canada's all-time record for permanent resident admissions in a single year, according to IRCC's 2025 Annual Report to Parliament. That beat the previous record set in 2023 by nearly 12,000 people.

The Philippines consistently ranked second or third throughout the decade. China's numbers dropped significantly after 2019 due to various factors including COVID-19 travel restrictions and shifting economic conditions. France appeared in the top 5 thanks to strong French-speaking immigration programs. Nigeria's numbers grew dramatically, especially through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs. What's remarkable is the diversity. Canada welcomed permanent residents from over 150 countries during this decade. This includes refugees, family class immigrants, and economic immigrants through various programs.

💼 How Did They Come? Immigration Programs Breakdown

Express Entry became the dominant pathway for economic immigrants. The Express Entry system processed about 40% of all permanent residents during this decade. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) saw massive growth. In 2015, PNPs welcomed about 46,000 people. By 2025, that number exceeded 105,000 annually. Provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta used PNPs to attract skilled workers to meet labour shortages. Family class immigration remained steady at about 80,000-100,000 people annually. This includes spouses, children, parents, and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Refugee admissions varied significantly. Canada welcomed about 25,000-50,000 refugees annually, with spikes during major humanitarian crises. The Syrian refugee crisis (2015-2016) and Afghanistan evacuation (2021-2022) created notable increases. The Quebec immigration system operates separately and welcomed about 290,000 new permanent residents during this decade. Quebec selects French-speaking immigrants through its own points system.

📈 What Drove These Historic Numbers?

Canada's immigration surge wasn't accidental. It was the result of deliberate policy decisions driven by economic and demographic realities. Canada's aging population creates a massive labour shortage. Statistics Canada data shows that without immigration, Canada's population would start declining by 2030. Immigration accounts for nearly 100% of Canada's population growth. The labour market needs are real. In 2025, Canada had over 900,000 job vacancies. Industries like healthcare, technology, trades, and hospitality desperately need workers. Immigration helps fill these gaps. Francophone immigration became a major priority. The federal government wants to maintain French as Canada's second official language. This explains increased French-speaking immigration targets and special programs for French speakers. Regional economic development also drove policy. Atlantic Canada, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan use immigration to reverse population decline. The Atlantic Immigration Program launched specifically to bring skilled workers to the Maritime provinces. The COVID-19 pandemic actually accelerated some immigration policies. Canada created special pathways for essential workers, international graduates, and French-speaking candidates. The pandemic proved that immigrants are essential for economic recovery.

🏠 Where Did They Settle?

Most immigrants still choose Canada's three largest cities. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal received about 60% of all new permanent residents during this decade. Toronto alone welcomed over 1.2 million new permanent residents from 2015 to 2025. The Greater Toronto Area's immigrant population now exceeds 3 million people. Nearly half of Toronto's residents are foreign-born. Vancouver attracted about 400,000 new permanent residents, mostly from Asia-Pacific countries. British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program successfully attracted tech workers, healthcare professionals, and skilled trades workers. Montreal welcomed about 350,000 new permanent residents, with strong French-speaking immigration. Quebec's immigration system prioritizes French proficiency, leading to more immigrants from France, North Africa, and Haiti. But smaller centres also saw significant growth. Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg each welcomed over 100,000 new permanent residents during the decade. The Atlantic provinces used targeted programs to attract immigrants. Nova Scotia's population grew by over 100,000 people, with immigration accounting for most of this growth. New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island saw similar immigration-driven population booms. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, launched in 2019, helps smaller communities attract immigrants. Communities like Timmins, Ontario and Brandon, Manitoba are successfully using this program to grow their populations.

💰 Economic Impact: What These Numbers Mean

The economic impact of 3.8 million new permanent residents is enormous. These immigrants contribute billions in taxes, start thousands of businesses, and fill critical labour shortages. New immigrants typically earn lower wages initially but catch up quickly. Within 10 years, most immigrants earn wages comparable to Canadian-born workers. Their lifetime tax contributions far exceed the cost of settlement services. Immigrant entrepreneurship drives innovation. About 35% of Canadian startups have at least one immigrant founder. Major Canadian companies like Shopify, Nuvei, and Coinsquare were founded or co-founded by immigrants. The housing market impact is significant but complex. Yes, immigration increases housing demand. But immigrants also work in construction, helping build new homes. The net impact varies by region and time period. Immigrants help sustain Canada's healthcare and education systems by having children and paying taxes. Without immigration, Canada would face serious challenges funding public services for an aging population.

🔮 What's Coming Next? Future Immigration Plans

Canada's immigration targets continue growing. The

Canada's immigration strategy has shifted significantly for 2025-2028. After years of record-breaking numbers, the government introduced a deliberate slowdown.

The new 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan marks a clear policy shift. After hitting 483,640 in 2024, Canada is deliberately cooling immigration to ease pressure on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure. The target drops to 380,000 in 2026 — a reduction of over 100,000 from the 2024 peak.

Key changes for 2026: Express Entry will increase modestly with more occupation-targeted draws. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remains the largest single PR category after exceeding its 2025 target. IRCC will fast-track PR for up to 33,000 temporary workers in 2026-2027 who have built community ties. And Francophone immigration outside Quebec continues rising — 9.5% target for 2026, up from 8.5% in 2025.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Canada increase immigration so much in the last 10 years?+

Canada's population is aging rapidly. Without immigrants, Canada's population would start shrinking by 2030. Immigration fills labour shortages and helps fund pensions and healthcare for older Canadians.

Is it harder to immigrate to Canada now because of all these immigrants?+

Competition is higher, but opportunities are also increasing. Canada is creating new pathways and increasing targets every year. Your best strategy is to improve your language scores and consider Provincial Nominee Programs.

Which immigration program is fastest in 2026?+

Provincial Nominee Programs often have lower competition than federal Express Entry. Programs for French speakers, healthcare workers, and essential workers tend to process faster. Rural programs also move quickly.

Do I need to move to Toronto or Vancouver as a new immigrant?+

Not at all! Smaller cities often offer better opportunities for newcomers. Lower cost of living, shorter commutes, and closer communities. Cities like Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax, and Winnipeg welcome thousands of immigrants yearly.

Will Canada keep accepting this many immigrants after 2026?+

Yes, likely even more. Canada's demographic challenges aren't going away. The government has committed to increasing immigration levels through 2026, and economic pressures suggest this trend will continue beyond that.

How long does it typically take to get permanent residence?+

Processing times vary by program. Express Entry takes 6-8 months after you get invited. Provincial programs can take 12-18 months total. Family sponsorship ranges from 12-36 months depending on your country and relationship.

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