In the frenzied pursuit of attracting immigrants, Canadian politicians overlooked a significant trend – the increasing number of citizens leaving the country for good. According to recent data from Statistics Canada (Stat Can), emigration, the act of a citizen or permanent resident departing permanently, spiked in the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching levels not seen since 1967.
Emigration, the opposite of immigration, involves individuals relocating outside the country for various reasons such as retirement, marriage, or career opportunities. While emigration is a natural component of any country’s population dynamics, the rapid rise in departure rates signals a cause for concern.
Canadian Emigration Soars to a 9-Year High in Q4
During the last quarter of 2024, Canadians bid farewell to their homeland at an unprecedented pace. A total of 24,533 citizens emigrated permanently, marking a 3.0% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in departures represented the highest fourth-quarter volume since 2016 and a substantial 30% jump from 2019, outpacing the growth of the general population.
Largest Exodus of Canadians Since 1967
The year 2024 witnessed a notable escalation in Canadian emigration, with a staggering annual total of 106,134 individuals leaving the country for good. This figure reflected a 3.0% increase from the previous year and a significant 17.3% rise from 2019, making it the most substantial exodus in over two generations.
Please Notify Us if You Leave
It is imperative to acknowledge that the recorded emigration numbers may be underestimated. Canada’s emigration data relies on individuals informing the country of their permanent departure; failure to do so may result in their departure being classified as a short-term absence, such as a vacation. Notably, departure statistics were not meticulously tracked until this year, leading to a prolonged overestimation of Canada’s population growth over the past four decades.
As Canadian emigration continues to trend upward, it is imperative for policymakers to pay heed to this significant phenomenon and address the underlying factors fueling this exodus. Failure to acknowledge and respond to this trend may have long-lasting implications for the country’s demographic landscape and social fabric.
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