By Shelby Thevenot
Posted on February 7, 2024
Updated on February 12, 2024
Canada exceeded its immigration target in 2023—welcoming a new record number of permanent residents.
Canada had planned to admit 465,000 new permanent residents last year, the majority of which would come through economic pathways like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program. Indeed, Canada exceeded expectations with nearly 471,550 new permanent residents admitted.
From the newly released preliminary data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), we’ve gathered the most interesting tidbits of information on immigration to Canada in 2023.
You’ll find the top source countries of immigrants, top destination provinces and cities, and Express Entry stats.
These data inform policy makers, governments, and other stakeholders on migration trends as a result of existing policies and inform those of the future.
The following figures are from IRCC’s open data portal, which offers monthly preliminary data. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5 for the privacy of newcomers.
What you'll find on this page
Top provinces for Canadian immigrants
Ontario was once again the province that became home to the most new PRs in 2023, followed by British Columbia and Alberta. Compared to 2022, Quebec dropped from second to fourth place among the provinces.
Advertisement
Provincial immigration by category
Canada classifies immigration into the broad categories of economic immigration, family immigration, refugees, and other. As set out in the Immigration Levels Plan, most immigrants came through economic streams.
The following table shows the distribution of immigrants by immigration class and province.
Immigrants by province and category
Province | Economic | Family | Refugee | Other | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland | 4,025 | 280 | 1,135 | 40 | 5,485 |
PEI | 3,280 | 150 | 160 | 25 | 3,615 |
Nova Scotia | 9,005 | 1,185 | 1,535 | 80 | 11,800 |
New Brunswick | 9,470 | 620 | 1,320 | 40 | 11,445 |
Quebec | 36,175 | 10,285 | 5,435 | 895 | 52,790 |
Ontario | 102,445 | 56,065 | 39,205 | 9,005 | 206,720 |
Manitoba | 18,205 | 3,440 | 2,980 | 270 | 24,895 |
Saskatchewan | 21,295 | 2,280 | 1,520 | 65 | 25,155 |
Alberta | 25,075 | 17,010 | 14,135 | 1,320 | 57,540 |
British Columbia | 42,675 | 18,085 | 7,520 | 2,510 | 70,790 |
Yukon | 755 | 120 | 20 | 0 | 890 |
NWT | 220 | 80 | 25 | -- | 330 |
Nunavut | 15 | 30 | 10 | -- | 55 |
Provincial immigration numbers since 2015
It was a record-breaking year for Ontario with 206,720 new permanent residents admitted. BC came in second, up from third, and Alberta slid in to the top three. Conversely, Quebec slipped down the ranks from second to fourth place since 2022.
Immigration raised in all Atlantic provinces with the exception of Nova Scotia, which retained its first-place ranking for the four east coast provinces.
Immigration numbers went up in all territories and especially the Yukon.
The following infograph shows immigration numbers by province between 2015 and 2023.
Provincial Immigration 2015-2023 Table
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador - Total | 1,120 | 1,200 | 1,185 | 1,525 | 1,855 | 900 | 2,055 | 3,490 | 5,485 |
Prince Edward Island - Total | 1,190 | 2,315 | 2,345 | 2,125 | 2,445 | 1,290 | 2,615 | 2,665 | 3,615 |
Nova Scotia - Total | 3,420 | 5,510 | 4,515 | 5,985 | 7,595 | 3,520 | 9,155 | 12,650 | 11,800 |
New Brunswick - Total | 2,580 | 4,715 | 3,660 | 4,610 | 6,005 | 2,890 | 5,310 | 10,205 | 11,445 |
Quebec - Total | 49,015 | 53,235 | 52,380 | 51,125 | 40,565 | 25,235 | 50,275 | 68,685 | 52,790 |
Ontario - Total | 103,585 | 109,885 | 112,010 | 137,460 | 153,370 | 82,955 | 199,295 | 184,725 | 206,720 |
Manitoba - Total | 14,895 | 16,825 | 14,640 | 15,225 | 18,870 | 8,610 | 16,575 | 21,645 | 24,895 |
Saskatchewan - Total | 12,520 | 14,880 | 14,685 | 15,510 | 15,870 | 7,425 | 10,950 | 21,635 | 25,155 |
Alberta - Total | 47,220 | 49,250 | 42,120 | 42,015 | 43,715 | 22,970 | 39,395 | 49,460 | 57,540 |
British Columbia - Total | 35,720 | 38,085 | 38,465 | 44,855 | 50,230 | 28,480 | 69,470 | 61,215 | 70,790 |
Yukon - Total | 265 | 210 | 225 | 305 | 400 | 175 | 595 | 455 | 890 |
Northwest Territories - Total | 210 | 185 | 240 | 280 | 195 | 125 | 295 | 235 | 330 |
Nunavut - Total | 35 | 35 | 40 | 30 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 45 | 55 |
Province/Territory not stated - Total | 70 | 45 | 30 | 5 | 15 | -- | 20 | 20 | 30 |
Total | 271,840 | 296,370 | 286,535 | 321,055 | 341,175 | 184,595 | 406,040 | 437,120 | 471,550 |
Top cities for Canadian immigrants
The top city for new Canada PRs was Toronto. About 135,865 permanent residents landed in Toronto last year.
Following Toronto was Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton.
Top source countries of Canadian immigrants
India was once again the top source country of new immigrants in 2023 with 139,715 Indian citizens becoming Canadian PRs. China came in second with 31,765. The Philippines were in third place with 26,950. Next was Afghanistan with 20,165, taking fourth place from Nigeria, which came in fifth with 17,445.
- India – 139,715
- China – 31,765
- Philippines – 26,950
- Afghanistan – 20,165
- Nigeria – 17,445
Express Entry
Express Entry is one of Canada’s main immigration pathways. It opens the doors for workers in skilled occupations to get permanent residency in Canada.
Express Entry manages applications for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and some programs under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Last year, 120,770 new permanent residence immigrated through Express Entry. Most came through the PNP with nearly 43,290, followed by the CEC (41,865) and FSW (35,500). Only 110 new permanent residents immigrated through the FST.
- Express Entry total: 120,770
- PNP: 43,290
- CEC: 41,865
- FSW: 35,500
- FST: 110
Keep in mind, these figures are preliminary and subject to change. Official numbers will be released when Canada publishes the 2023 Express Entry report.
If you’re interested in moving to Canada but not sure which program you may be eligible for, check your eligibility for more than 20 Canadian immigration programs by taking Moving2Canada’s free Canada Immigration Quiz.
Built your profile yet?
About the author
Shelby Thevenot
By Shelby Thevenot
Posted on February 7, 2024
Updated on February 12, 2024
Tags
Rate article
Advertisement
Tags
Advertisement
Related articles
Express Entry Draw Weekly Recap – April 22 to 26, 2024
Read more
Immigration and The Loneliness Epidemic: Challenges Women Newcomers Are Facing (& How To Overcome Them)
Read more
Latest Express Entry Draws Results
Read more
Category-Based Express Entry Invitations To Dominate 2024
Read more
-
Canada Abroad
Canada Abroad is a transparent Canadian immigration consultancy with advice you can trust. Led by Deanne Acres-Lans (RCIC #508363), the team delivers professional, regulated, and efficient service.
-
Doherty Fultz Immigration
Led by Anthony Doherty (RCIC #510956) and Cassandra Fultz (#514356), the Doherty Fultz team uses their 40+ years of experience to empower you towards settling in Canada.
-
Perez McKenzie Immigration
Led by Jenny Perez (RCIC #423103), Perez McKenzie Immigration is a Canadian immigration consultancy based in British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver and Whistler.
Get your immigration questions answered by an expert
-
Find the best immigration program for you
Take our free immigration quiz and we'll tell you the best immigration programs for you!
-
Get matched to job opportunities
Get matched to job opportunities from Canadian employers who are seeking to hire people with your skills.
-
Access our immigration roadmaps
Our immigration roadmaps will teach you the basics of Express Entry, study permits, and more! Take control of your own immigration process.