Canada Sees Surge In Emigration As 27,086 Depart In Early 2025.
Canada is witnessing a significant wave of emigration, with Statistics Canada reporting that 27,086 citizens and permanent residents left the country between January and March 2025. This figure marks the second-highest first-quarter emigration total since 2017, when 27,115 individuals departed, highlighting a growing trend of Canadians seeking opportunities abroad.
The data reveals a 3% increase in emigration compared to the first quarter of 2024, when 26,293 people left Canada. Alongside this, a notable 9,676 emigrants returned to Canada during the same period in 2025, a slight rise from the 9,393 returnees in early 2024. However, the net outflow remains a point of focus, as the number of departures continues to climb. Statistics Canada notes that emigration typically peaks in the third quarter, suggesting that 2025 could see even higher numbers later in the year.
The reasons behind this exodus are varied, with many citing the rising cost of living, housing affordability challenges, and limited job opportunities as key factors. A 2024 Statistics Canada study indicated that emigration often increases three to seven years after immigrants arrive, particularly among those without children, those aged 65 and older, and highly educated individuals. Entrepreneurs and investors, as well as immigrants from countries such as Taiwan, the United States, and Hong Kong, are also more likely to leave.
Adding to the trend, non-permanent residents, including those with work or study permits, are departing in significant numbers. In the first quarter of 2025, 209,400 non-permanent residents left Canada, a 54% surge compared to the 135,360 who departed in the same period of 2024. This increase aligns with recent government policies, including Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement in May 2025 to cap international student and temporary foreign worker numbers, aimed at easing pressure on housing and infrastructure.
While Canada has long been a beacon for immigrants, with 483,591 newcomers arriving in 2024 alone, the rising emigration figures suggest challenges in retaining talent. Ontario, in particular, has been a focal point, accounting for nearly half of the country’s emigrants in 2024, despite representing 39% of the population. British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec followed, but none matched Ontario’s disproportionate share.
Despite the departures, Canada’s population continues to grow, driven by robust immigration. However, the loss of skilled workers and permanent residents raises questions about the country’s ability to maintain its appeal as a land of opportunity. As policymakers grapple with housing crises and economic pressures, the emigration trend underscores the need for strategies to retain both citizens and newcomers.
The coming months will be critical in determining whether this wave of departures continues to grow or if Canada can address the underlying issues driving its residents abroad. For now, the Great White North faces the challenge of balancing its immigration ambitions with the realities of retaining its population.