OTTAWA - A recent report reveals that one in five immigrants to Canada leaves the country within 25 years of their arrival. The study, conducted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, indicates that most of these departures occur within the first five years.

The report, titled "The Leaky Bucket 2025," highlights that highly educated immigrants, particularly those with doctorates, are more likely to leave than those with lower education levels. It notes that professionals in fields such as business, finance management, information technology, and engineering exhibit the highest rates of out-migration.

According to the findings, approximately 20,241 of the 380,000 permanent residents expected to arrive in Canada next year are projected to leave by 2031. The report emphasizes the need for a talent retention strategy to encourage skilled immigrants to remain in the country long-term.

Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, stated, "Too many of the people we most need — engineers, health-care professionals, scientists and senior managers — are packing up and leaving." He stressed that retaining talent is crucial for national interests, especially as Canada faces declining birth rates and an aging population.

The report also highlights that the trend of onward migration peaks five years after newcomers arrive, making early retention efforts vital. Bernhard pointed out that many Canadians lack access to a family doctor, and the country is losing essential health-care professionals at a time when it needs them most.

The study indicates that 35 percent of immigrants with backgrounds in legislative and senior management roles leave within 25 years, compared to an overall rate of 19 percent across all occupations. The report underscores that some of the most in-demand occupations in the coming decade also have high rates of out-migration.

In response to these findings, the federal government has decided to stabilize permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually until 2028. However, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship warns that if the current trend continues, the loss of skilled immigrants could hinder Canada's economic growth and workforce sustainability.

The report is based on an analysis of immigrants' tax data, concluding that a newcomer is considered to have left Canada if they do not file taxes for two consecutive years and are absent from the 2022 tax data.

The findings raise significant concerns about the future of Canada's immigration strategy and the importance of retaining skilled workers to support the country's economy and public services.