Immigrant earnings are on the rise in Canada
Surprisingly, average immigrant earnings are often higher than average Canadian earnings.
A new study by Statistics Canada shows that first-year immigrants' incomes have been rising steadily. This trend has been observed over the past 30 years.
There are three types of immigration in Canada:
- economic immigration, when the working-age population arrives;
- Family reunification, where residents or residents sponsor their relatives to move;
- Refugee status — for those who are at risk in their own country.
Immigrants who entered the country through economic immigration programs earn the most in their first year of permanent residence in Canada. Their median income for 2019 was $43,600 CAD, 12.4 per cent higher than the median income of native Canadians, which is also rising year over year.
Immigrants from other categories earn significantly less. For example, those sponsored by family members earned an average of only $24,500 CAD in 2019, while refugees earned $19,200 CAD.
The study mentions that having work experience in Canada at the time of application is a very valuable factor, which gives immigrants a higher level of language and knowledge of the local labour market. Also, the level of earnings very much depends on this indicator. As statistics show, now about two-thirds of invited immigrants have work experience in Canada. This means that they first stay in the country on a work visa, and only then get permanent residency.
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