A recent study by Statistics Canada sheds light on the employment rates of landed immigrants in Canada, specifically focusing on regional variations and age groups. The term “landed immigrants,” as defined by Statistics Canada, refers to permanent residents of Canada.
Overall Employment Rates by Region
The study, examining immigrants aged 15 and above, revealed that those from Africa and Asia had the highest average employment rates in 2023. The breakdown of employment rates by region is as follows:
- Africa: 67.7%
- Asia: 66.3%
- Latin America: 66%
- North America: 56.6%
- Europe: 56.6%
It’s essential to note that the national average employment rate for this cohort was 62.7%.
Gender Disparities
These results were consistent across genders, reflecting the same order of regions in terms of employment rates. However, when analyzing only females, Latin America moved to the second position, while Asia dropped to third. The rest of the results for females mirrored the overall trend observed for both genders.
Core Aged Working Population
An intriguing revelation emerged when the study focused on core-aged landed immigrants (aged 25-54). The employment rates by region for this group in 2023 were:
- Europe: 88.3%
- Latin America: 82.8%
- North America: 82.7%
- Asia: 81.7%
- Africa: 79.8%
Surprisingly, this age group exhibited an almost exact inversion of the overall trend. The national average employment rate for core-aged immigrants was 82.6%, showcasing a different pattern compared to the broader age group.
Interpreting the Results
The inversion in employment rates suggests that immigrants from Africa and Asia are more likely to be employed during the ages of 15-25 and above 54. In contrast, immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and North America show higher employment rates between the ages of 25-54.
This indicates a potential cultural difference in the approach to employment during the school years, with immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and North America focusing more on education during the ages of 15-25.
Cultural Differences and Education
The stark difference in national averages (62.7% vs. 82.6%) hints at the possibility that immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and North America might prioritize education during the early years, while immigrants from Asia and Africa are more likely to seek employment concurrently. However, more data is needed to substantiate this claim.
Limitations of the Study
While the study provides valuable insights, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations. The exclusion of temporary foreign workers and international students from the dataset limits the study’s scope and applicability. To obtain a more representative view of Canada’s labor force, future studies must include temporary foreign workers and international students.
These groups play a crucial role in the Canadian workforce, as evidenced by the substantial increase in their numbers over the past decade. Including these demographics in broader analyses will contribute to a more holistic understanding of Canada’s diverse and dynamic labor market.
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