In a recent development on June 20th, Statistics Canada unveiled a significant study titled “Non-permanent residents in Canada: a portrait of a growing population from the 2021 Census.” This comprehensive study delves into the characteristics of non-permanent residents (NPRs) based on their reasons for temporary residency in Canada, utilizing data from the 2021 Census of Population.
The findings reveal a notable trend: the non-permanent resident category is expanding, gradually constituting a larger portion of Canada’s population. Non-permanent residents encompass individuals like temporary foreign workers, international students, and asylum seekers, all authorized to reside in Canada temporarily.
Notably, the census documented that nearly 1 million NPRs were tallied in 2021, contributing to 2.5% of Canada’s total population. Within this group, a substantial proportion held work permits. Specifically, 40.1% of NPRs possessed work permits exclusively, while an additional 14.2% held a combination of work and study permits. Additionally, 21.9% of NPRs were holders of study permits without work permits. Those seeking refuge accounted for 15.1% of the NPR category.
Breaking down the demographics, a substantial 60% of NPRs observed in the 2021 Census belonged to the young adult age bracket of 20 to 34 years. This age distribution contrasts with recent immigrants and the broader Canadian population, where young adults constituted 37.3% and 18.4% respectively.
Evidently, NPRs’ youthful age profile aligns with the predominant categories of work and study permit holders, largely concentrated in the 20 to 34-year-old range. The study also underscored the diverse origins of NPRs, with India (28.5%) and China (10.5%) being the top birth countries. Remarkably, this trend persisted across most provinces except for Quebec, where France emerged as the predominant birthplace for NPRs (20.4%).
Diverse birthplaces translated into linguistic diversity among NPRs, yet an impressive 95.3% displayed proficiency in an official language. Within this spectrum, NPRs holding study permits (97.7%) and work-study permits (99%) demonstrated commendable knowledge of either English or French. Even asylum claimants, though slightly lower at 86.7%, showcased a noteworthy grasp of an official language.
Furthermore, NPRs played a pivotal role in Canada’s labor force, boasting a high participation rate of 74.2%, surpassing the broader population’s rate of 63.4%. This phenomenon can largely be attributed to NPRs’ youthful demographic. Occupationally, sales and service roles constituted the dominant niche, with 36.4% of NPRs employed in these sectors, outpacing the broader population’s 25% involvement.
However, NPRs’ skillset utilization posed a nuanced challenge. Although NPRs boasted higher educational attainment on average, a notable 23.7% found themselves in occupations that didn’t necessitate their educational qualifications—compared to 15.7% of the general population. Strikingly, NPRs with bachelor’s or higher degrees exhibited overqualification rates of 32.4%, higher than recent immigrants (26.2%) and the overall population (15.9%).
This extensive study provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of non-permanent residents in Canada, emphasizing their socio-demographic composition, occupational distribution, linguistic proficiency, and educational attainment. As the country continues to attract and welcome temporary residents for various purposes, these findings serve as a cornerstone for informed policy decisions and a better understanding of this dynamic segment of Canada’s population.
