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The provision of higher- and lower-skilled immigrant labour to the Canadian economy

Author

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  • Garnett Picot
  • Tahsin Mehdi

Abstract

This study assesses the skill level and occupations of recent immigrants in Canada by examining immigrants who landed in 2018 or 2019 and their occupational outcomes in May 2021. More recent results from the March 2024 Labour Force Survey are provided in some cases. The share of recent immigrants in lower-skilled or labourer jobs (35%) was almost as high as the share working in higher-skilled occupations (40%) in May 2021. However, recent immigrants and immigrants overall were much less likely than Canadian-born individuals to be in middle-skilled technical or trades jobs such as construction. Recent immigrants were more likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to be employed in higher-skilled occupations such as engineering and computer and information systems professions but less likely than Canadian-born individuals to be in nursing professions, partly because of the time it may take to become professional nurses.

Suggested Citation

  • Garnett Picot & Tahsin Mehdi, 2024. "The provision of higher- and lower-skilled immigrant labour to the Canadian economy," Economic and Social Reports 202400900005e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch.
    • Handle: RePEc:stc:stcp8e:202400900005e
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202400900005-eng
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Francisco J Buera & Joseph P Kaboski & Richard Rogerson & Juan I Vizcaino, 2022. "Skill-Biased Structural Change," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(2), pages 592-625.
    2. Matthew Doyle & Mikal Skuterud & Christopher Worswick, 2025. "The economics of Canadian immigration levels," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 58(1), pages 109-135, February.
    3. Sommerfeld, Katrin, 2023. "Tailoring migration policies to address labour shortages," ZEW policy briefs 05/2023, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    4. repec:stc:stcp8e:2023007e is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Matthew Doyle & Mikal Skuterud & Christopher Worswick, 2023. "The Economics of Canadian Immigration Levels," Working Papers 24002, University of Waterloo, Department of Economics.
    6. Garnett Picot & Feng Hou & Eden Crossman, 2023. "The Provincial Nominee Program: Its expansion in Canada," Economic and Social Reports 202300700004e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch.
    7. Dominique Gross, 2014. "Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada: Are They Really Filling Labour Shortages?," C.D. Howe Institute Commentary, C.D. Howe Institute, issue 407, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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