Statistics Canada’s recent findings highlight a significant decline in recent immigrants obtaining Canadian citizenship compared to over two decades ago. According to the longitudinal study spanning from 1996 to 2021, there has been nearly a 30% decrease in citizenship rates among recent immigrants, with the most substantial decline occurring within the past decade.
Statistics Canada Study Unveils Decline in Recent Immigrants Pursuing Canadian Citizenship
According to the survey, since 1996, when 75.4% of immigrants chose to become citizens, the percentage of recent immigrants who have been in Canada for five, ten, or fifteen years that are seeking citizenship has been steadily declining. This percentage fell to 45.7% by 2021; the largest reduction was seen between 2016 and 2021.
Additionally, the study found that different groups of recent immigrants had varying rates of citizenship uptake. For example, immigrants earning between $50,000 and $100,000 CAD were 14% more likely to become citizens than immigrants earning less than $10,000 CAD. Furthermore, a relationship between educational achievement and citizenship uptake was found, with 31.4% of recent immigrants with the highest educational level having a high school diploma and 51.8% of those with a university degree requesting citizenship.
Moreover, differences were apparent in terms of people’s linguistic skills. For example, the citizenship uptake rate for people whose mother tongue was neither English nor French was only 19.7%, while the rate for people whose mother tongue was either English or French was substantially higher at 49.8%.
Furthermore, differences were noted according to the immigrants’ home nation. The largest recent drops in citizenship rates were observed among immigrants from Southeast Asia (-40.7%) and East Asia (-58%). West Asian immigration (-29.3%), Eastern European immigrants (-28.9%), and Central American immigrants (-28.2%) came next.
Factors Contributing to the Decline in Citizenship Uptake Among Recent Immigrants in Canada
A number of parameters indicating differences, including education, language ability, and work experience (measured by earnings) in Canada, also correspond with standards that are awarded by Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This correlation implies that recent immigrants’ rates of citizenship may be influenced by their ability to adjust to Canadian society.
The study also pinpoints a few variables that might be responsible for this decrease. First and foremost, there is the global COVID-19 epidemic, which might account for as much as 40% of the decline in citizenship rates between 2016 and 2021, according to studies. Although the pandemic is blamed as the main reason for the significant decline in citizenship applications during this time, its effects most likely made pre-existing patterns in citizenship rates worse.
The report also identifies several policy changes that took place between 2006 and 2016. These changes may have had an impact on citizenship uptake rates. These measures include raising application fees for citizenship. Additionally, permanent residents are now required to provide proof of fluency in both French and English. Moreover, candidates’ general knowledge of Canada is being enhanced through citizenship tests.
The analysis concludes that the rapid decline in citizenship rates among Southeast and East Asian citizens is indicative of the potential influence of unique international events in these regions. Such events may significantly contribute to the observed decline in citizenship uptake.
Despite Downtrend, Canada Maintains High Immigrant Citizenship Rates
Despite the significant decrease in current immigrant citizenship rates, Canada still boasts one of the highest overall immigrant citizenship rates. This status is maintained among Western countries. This statistic, which was 81.7% in 2021, highlights the common decision made by immigrants in Canada to seek citizenship.
As permanent residents, a large number of immigrants also make substantial contributions to Canada, especially in the economic sphere. In order to keep ties to their own country intact, some of these immigrants choose not to apply for citizenship. Moreover, in countries like India, dual citizenship may not be permitted. This situation compels individuals to decide between retaining their original passport or acquiring a new one. Permanent residents in Canada do not have the right to vote or run for political office. However, they enjoy similar rights as citizens, such as access to healthcare and employment opportunities.
However, the government may be concerned about the continued drop in citizenship rates, especially given the length of this trend.
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