The Leaky Bucket 2025: Retention Trends in Highly Skilled Immigrants and In-Demand Occupations
This latest research builds on the 2024 Leaky Bucket report and confirms that one in five immigrants are leaving Canada in the long term, with the risk peaking five years after arrival. We find that onward migration is highest among highly skilled and highly educated immigrants, constraining Canada’s global competitiveness.
Immigrants who planned careers in occupations with the highest projected growth in the next decade are more likely to leave Canada than immigrants who planned careers in slower-growing fields. Immigrants who experience stagnant or declining earnings during their time in Canada are also more likely to leave than immigrants who see positive income growth.
What do these findings mean for securing Canada’s future? What actions can Canadian policy-makers and employers take to strengthen immigrant retention?
Cette publication est disponible en français.
Key findings
Why Canada benefits when immigrants stay
Trends in onward migration
Retention is weakest in highly educated, skilled immigrants
Economic success influences onward migration
Retention trends vary across Canada
From insight to action
Appendix A: Methodology
Appendix B: Glossary
Appendix C: Bibliography
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