Overview
- One in five newcomers leave within 25 years, with most exits occurring in the first five years after arrival.
- Highly educated immigrants depart at roughly twice the rate of lower‑skilled peers, with PhD holders nearly twice as likely as bachelor’s graduates to leave within five years.
- Health‑care workers and scientists show about a 36% five‑year departure rate, and experienced executives and key STEM and finance managers also out‑migrate at above‑average rates.
- If recent patterns persist, the report forecasts more than 20,000 of the 380,000 permanent residents expected in 2026 will have left by 2031.
- The analysis uses tax‑filing records and highlights regional gaps, with Atlantic Canada near 36% over 25 years, as Ottawa cites a 13‑year $1.7‑billion attraction strategy, promised 14‑day visas, and a $97‑million credential‑recognition fund.