How many people immigrate to Canada each year?
Canada is a land of immigrants. In 2022, Canada recorded a record-high level of immigration with more than 493,000 newcomers. Statistics Canada tracks immigration data and reports figures between July 1 and June 30. In 2024, immigration levels reached 464,265, down about 1% from 468,913 people from the year before.
Between 2000 and 2024, immigration levels averaged 287,109 people and began ramping up following 2015. That year was the first time immigration levels crossed the 300,000-person threshold and crossed 400,000 for the first time in 2022.
Which provinces do newcomers settle in?
In 2023, Ontario was the top destination for newcomers accounting for approximately 42% of all immigrants to Canada. Coming in second was British Columbia, a position it has held since 2020. In 2023, 63,574 immigrants to Canada chose to settle in British Columbia. Rounding out the top three is Alberta. That year, the Prairie province received 60,254 immigrants. Together, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta accounted for more than two-thirds of all immigrants to Canada.
Traditionally, Quebec had been the second-most popular destination for immigrants. This trend began shifting in 2020. In recent years, Quebec has seen annual declines in immigration. In 2023, Quebec welcomed 55,451 newcomers, good for fourth place on the list. That was down from 64,475 or about a 14 per cent decline compared to the year prior.
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