In brief
Canada is the world's tenth-largest economy by nominal GDP and one of the most structurally immigration-dependent — roughly half a million new permanent residents arrive annually, and immigration accounts for nearly 100% of labour-force growth. The economy is concentrated in natural resources (oil and gas in Alberta, forestry and mining nationally), manufacturing (Ontario's automotive corridor), and a services-heavy urban base in Toronto (financial services), Vancouver (Pacific trade and tech), Montréal (aerospace, AI, bilingual services), Calgary (energy), and Ottawa (federal government). English and French are co-official at the federal level; Québec operates a distinct French-only immigration track.
For international workers the primary route is Express Entry — Canada's federal economic-immigration pool covering the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades. Since 2023 the system has operated a category-based selection model alongside general draws, with annual priority categories set by the Immigration Minister. 2025 priorities: French language, healthcare, trades, and education (added in 2025, replacing transportation). The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) gives provinces substantial discretion over their own immigration priorities, and Québec runs the separate Programme de l'expérience québécoise and Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés.
Canadian immigration has undergone unusual policy churn through 2024–2026. Prime Minister Trudeau's government reduced permanent-residence targets in response to housing-supply pressure; the 2025 Express Entry mix pivoted toward in-Canada applicants (59% of CEC draws). A further 2026 reform package is proposed to prioritise higher earnings and Canadian job offers over Canadian experience in the ranking formula — the details remain in consultation. Watch the freshness tracker for enacted-versus-proposed status on these structural changes.
Labour market
Labour market
Headline labour-market figures for Canada, drawn from national statistical offices and ILO-modelled estimates. Figures update as each source publishes new periods.
Unemployment
6.9%
% · 2025 · World Bank
Youth unemployment
13.8%
% ages 15-24 · 2025 · World Bank
Employment-to-population
60.8%
% ages 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Labour-force participation
65.3%
% ages 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Female participation
61.1%
% females 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Labour force
22,837,209
people · 2025 · World Bank
Definitions: employment-to-population ratio is the proportion of the working-age population (15+) that is employed. Labour-force participation rate is the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively job-seeking. Youth unemployment refers to the 15–24 cohort.
Source: World Bank Open Data (ILO-modelled estimates and national-account sources).
Demographics
Demographics
Canada has a population of 41,288,599, of which 83% live in urban areas. People aged 65 and over make up 19.8% of the population against a fertility rate of 1.25 births per woman — well below the 2.1 replacement rate.
41,288,599World Bank · 2024Population
82.7%World Bank · 2024Urban share
19.8%World Bank · 2024Aged 65+
82.1 yrsWorld Bank · 2024Life expectancy
1.25World Bank · 2024Fertility rate
Official languages are English, French. The country's demographic profile, like most of western Europe, is aging — the 65-plus share is roughly double what it was in the 1970s and still climbing. Net migration is the main source of population growth.
Sources: World Bank Open Data ↗ · UN Population Division ↗
Sources: World Bank Open Data · United Nations Population Division · national statistical office.
Visa & immigration
Visa & immigration
Not legal advice. Every figure below links to its official government source. Rules change; verify the specific threshold, processing time, and eligibility for your case before applying.
Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)
Skilled workers ranked via Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
No salary floor · 120 months initial · path to permanent · 24–52 weeks processing
Points-based permanent-residence program within Express Entry. Candidates submit profiles; IRCC issues invitations based on CRS score and active priority categories. Minimum entry requirements: one year continuous skilled work experience, CLB 7 English/French, education assessment (ECA), proof of funds. CRS threshold fluctuates per draw (typically 470–540 for general draws; lower for category-specific).
Requirements
- 1+ year of continuous full-time skilled work experience (past 10 years)
- Language: CLB 7+ in English or French
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Proof of settlement funds
- Acceptable CRS score against active draws
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
IRCC — Express Entry ↗
· share your experience
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Skilled workers with prior Canadian work experience.
No salary floor · 120 months initial · path to permanent · 12–32 weeks processing
Fastest-processing Express Entry stream — designed for temporary residents with Canadian work experience transitioning to permanent residence. Requires 1+ year of skilled full-time Canadian work experience in the past 3 years, CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3). 59% of category-based 2025 draws targeted in-Canada applicants through CEC.
Requirements
- 1+ year of Canadian skilled work experience (past 3 years)
- Language: CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3)
- Currently legal status in Canada (for in-Canada applicants)
- Acceptable CRS score
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
IRCC — Express Entry ↗
· share your experience
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Workers targeted by specific provinces' labour-market priorities.
No salary floor · 120 months initial · path to permanent · 24–78 weeks processing
Each province and territory (except Nunavut and Québec, which runs its own regime) operates a PNP with discretion over its own streams. Can provide lower CRS thresholds and direct pathways for occupations in demand regionally. Nomination adds 600 CRS points and virtually guarantees invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Requirements
- Meet specific province's stream criteria (varies materially)
- Intention to reside in the nominating province
- Federal eligibility (admissibility, health, character)
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ↗
· share your experience
Global Talent Stream (GTS)
High-skill workers in priority tech occupations.
No salary floor · 24 months initial · path to permanent · 2–6 weeks processing
Fast-track employer-sponsored work-permit route within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for tech and innovation occupations. Two categories: A (employer-referred by designated partners) and B (occupations on the Global Talent Occupations List). 2-week LMIA processing, 2-week work-permit processing. Employer must commit to a Labour Market Benefits Plan.
Requirements
- Job offer in Category A (referred) or Category B (designated occupation)
- Qualified employer committing to Labour Market Benefits Plan
- Role meeting prevailing wage for the occupation
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ↗
· share your experience
Start-up Visa
Founders of qualifying innovative start-ups backed by designated investors.
No salary floor · 120 months initial · path to permanent · 24–104 weeks processing
Permanent-residence pathway for up to five co-founders per start-up backed by a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator. Minimum investment commitment from designated entity: CAD 200k (VC), CAD 75k (angel), or letter of support (incubator). Spouse and dependent children may accompany. PR granted upon business milestone achievement.
Requirements
- Letter of support from designated entity (VC, angel, incubator)
- Qualifying business with essential role
- CLB 5 English or French
- Sufficient settlement funds
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ↗
· share your experience
Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (Québec PRTQ)
Skilled workers intending to settle in Québec.
No salary floor · 120 months initial · path to permanent · 26–78 weeks processing
Québec's independent permanent-residence stream, operating outside Express Entry. Candidates submit an Arrima expression-of-interest profile; Québec invites based on labour-market priorities. Issued Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) then processed federally for permanent residence. Requires functional French (orally and in writing).
Requirements
- Arrima expression-of-interest profile
- French language ability (oral comprehension and production)
- Qualifying training, experience, age profile
- Intention to settle in Québec
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Gouvernement du Québec — Immigration ↗
· share your experience
Primary sources cited per row; every figure links to the issuing authority.