B.C. Immigration Trends 2010 Highlights

Transcription

1 B.C. Immigration Trends 2010 Highlights Overview: Immigration to British Columbia* Since 2006, B.C. has welcomed on average 42,000 new immigrants (Permanent Residents) each year. In 2010, B.C. welcomed 44,176 new immigrants, a 6.6% increase over 2009 (41,440), and a 0.4% increase over 2008 (43,992). In 2010, Canada welcomed 280,636 new immigrants, the highest level in 50 years. It was also a 11.3% increase over 2009 and 13.5% over The percentage growth in B.C. was not as high. As a result, B.C. s share of Canada s immigration total declined to 15.7% in 2010 compared to 16.4% in 2009 and 17.8% in While B.C. is consistently the third largest recipient of immigrants among Canada s provinces and territories, it s share has fluctuated over the last ten years from a peak of 17.8% of Canada in 2008 to a low of 14.9% in In 2010, B.C. was behind only Ontario with 118,116 new immigrants (42.1% of Canada) and Quebec with 53,981 (19.2% of Canada). Alberta s total of 32,640 immigrants (11.6% of Canada) was fourth in Canada while Manitoba s 15,803 immigrants (5.6% of Canada) rounded out the top five. Chart 1: Immigrants to B.C., Table 1: Immigrants to Canada and Provinces, *2010 numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Policy and Decision Support Branch Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

2 % of Canada British Columbia 38,483 34,057 35,229 37,027 44,770 42,083 38,961 43,992 41,440 44, % Alberta 16,404 14,783 15,839 16,475 19,404 20,716 20,861 24,200 27,017 32, % Saskatchewan 1,704 1,667 1,668 1,943 2,119 2,724 3,516 4,835 6,890 7, % Manitoba 4,591 4,615 6,503 7,426 8,096 10,047 10,954 11,218 13,521 15, % Ontario 148, , , , , , , , , , % Quebec 37,598 37,581 39,555 44,245 43,315 44,684 45,200 45,219 49,491 53, % Atlantic Provinces 3,022 2,636 2,653 3,455 3,847 5,305 5,704 6,566 6,663 7, % Territories % Not Stated % Canada Total 250, , , , , , , , , , % Immigration Class Economic Class In 2010, there were 30,867 Economic Class immigrants to B.C., a 19.1% increase over 2009, and a 7.5% increase over For Canada, the number of Economic Class immigrants increased by 21.8% over 2009 and 25.4% over Economic Class immigrants represented 69.9% of 2010 immigrant arrivals to B.C. compared to 62.5% in 2009 and 65.3% in Immigrants come to Canada in different immigration classes. There are eight broad immigration classes, which can be grouped down into two major classes, Economic Class and Non-Economic Class. Economic Class immigrants are selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Canada s economy. This class of immigrants includes members of the Federal Skilled Worker, Provincial Nominee, Business, Live-in Caregiver, and Canadian Experience Classes. Non-Economic Class immigrants are members of the Family Class, Refugee Class, and Others. Immigration Class data, in this report, includes Spouses and Dependants. For example, the number of Skilled Worker Class arrivals includes the Principal Applicants, Spouses and Dependants. In 2010, 16,653 Federal Skilled Worker class immigrants arrived in B.C., an increase of 37.8% over 2009 and 3.8% over Nationally, the number of immigrants who arrived through this class also increased (24.4% over 2009 and 15.0% over 2008). The number of immigrants arriving through the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) increased from 4,708 in 2009 to 4,899 in This was up 4.1% from 2009 and was 35.0% higher than in The number of PNP immigrants to B.C. has increased with each year since the program began in It is also the fastest growing immigration class to B.C. In 2010, PNP immigrants accounted for 11.1% of new immigrants to B.C., slightly down from the 11.4% in 2009 due to more growth in other areas. However, the 2010 PNP total was 8.2% higher than in The number of people becoming permanent residents through the Business Class in 2010 (5,860) decreased by 3.6% over 2009 and 9.9% over In 2010, 2,884 new immigrants arrived in B.C. through the Live-in Caregiver Program. This was an increase of 8.3% over 2009 and 13.3% over In late 2008, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) was introduced with permanent residents arriving in B.C. received 385 CEC immigrants in 2009 and 571 in 2010, an increase of 48.3%. Non-Economic Class While the number of Economic Class immigrants increased by 19.1% from 2009 to 2010, it dropped 14.3% for Non-Economic Class immigrants over this period. This was driven by the decline in Family Class immigrants.

3 3 In 2010, 10,863 Family Class immigrants arrived in B.C., compared to 12,612 in 2009, a 13.9% decline. The 2010 total was down 12.6% from B.C. welcomed 1,667 Refugee Class immigrants in 2010, up over 2009 (+2.1%) and 2008 (+8.8%). Source Countries In 2010, immigrants to B.C. came from over 170 countries. Mainland China continues to be the top source country to B.C. and has been so since While India had been the second top source country since 1999, it was surpassed in 2010 by the Philippines. The change in ranking reflects the decline in Family Class immigrants, of which India is the largest source country. Overall, India was the third top source country in The top three source countries accounted for nearly half (49.4%) of all immigrant arrivals to B.C. Rounding out the top five in 2010 were United Kingdom and South Korea. In 2010, four of the top five countries came from the Asia- Pacific while six of the top ten also came from this region. Please refer to the Asia-Pacific Immigrants Fact Sheet for detailed information on immigrants from this region: By world region, 29,700 or just over two-thirds (67.2%) of new immigrants to B.C. in 2010 came from Asia. Europe accounted for 12.7% (5,622) of new immigrants to B.C. followed by Africa and the Middle East with 10.4% (4,593), Central and South America with 4.4% (1,948), United States with 3.8% (1,697), and Australia and New Zealand with 1.4% (608). Chart 2: Top ten source countries of immigrants to B.C. in 2010 Official Language Ability (English and/or French) Official language ability (the ability to speak English and/or French) is reported for immigrants aged 15 and over at the time of arrival. The data is based mostly on self-reported language ability. Official language ability is generally considered to overstate competency in Canada s official languages. Despite the increased share in Economic Class immigrants, little change occurred in official language ability. 72.5% (25,695) of youth and adult immigrants to B.C. arrived with official language ability in 2010, which was slightly higher than in 2009 (71.3%) and 2008 (71.8%). 27.5% (9,757) of immigrants came with no official language ability in 2010 compared to 28.7% in 2009 and 28.2% in Table 2: Immigrants to B.C. (aged 15 and over) by official language ability at the time of arrival, Official Language Ability English 67.5% 67.1% 68.7% Bilingual 3.9% 3.8% 3.5% French 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% None 28.2% 28.7% 27.5% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Absolute Number 35,923 34,142 35,452 In general, the percentage of immigrants to B.C. with official language ability is less than Canada. In 2010, 81.4% of immigrants to Canada had official language ability compared to 72.5% of B.C. immigrants. This is in part explained by the high percentage of Quebec immigrants with an official language (French and/or English), which influences the national numbers. As well, B.C. s lower official language ability reflects the source country of immigrants to B.C., many of whom come from countries where English and/or French is not the spoken or official language. In 2010, 71.6% of female immigrants to B.C. aged 15 and over had official language ability compared to 73.4% of males. Although the difference is small, generally, a greater share of male immigrants to B.C. have official language ability compared to females. Immigrants with more education tend to arrive with official language ability compared to lesser educated. For instance, 85.1% of immigrants with university education (aged 25+) arrived with official language ability compared to 49.8% of immigrants with no formal education.

4 4 Education (aged 25 and over) In 2010, 54.4% (15,916) of new immigrants to B.C. aged 25+ arrived with a university degree. An additional 21.6% (6,332) came with other forms of post-secondary education or training. Another 19.7% (5,732) came with secondary school or less, while those with no formal education accounted for 4.3% (1,257) of total. Table 3: Immigrants to B.C. (aged 25 and over) by level of education at the time of arrival, Highest Level of Education High School or Less 25.0% 27.4% 24.0% College or Trade Certificate 22.6% 23.7% 21.6% University Degree 52.4% 48.9% 54.4% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Absolute Number 29,052 27,681 29,257 Skills and Labour Force Intention (aged 25 to 64) In 2010, 22,109 new immigrants to B.C. of working-age (aged 25 to 64) intended to enter the labour force, representing 78.8% of the working-age arrivals. Of the remaining, 21.2% or 5,934 did not intend to enter the labour force on arrival. Reasons for not entering the labour force may include pursuing an education or raising a family. Approximately half (11,038) of immigrants who intended to work had information about their intended occupation and skill level. By the 2-digit National Occupational Classification (NOC), the top intended occupation was Professional Occupations in Social Science, Education, Government Services and Religion (NOC 41) with 14.0%. This was followed by Intermediate Sales and Service Occupations (NOC 64) with 10.3%, Professional Occupations in Health (NOC 31) with 10.0%, and Professional Occupations in Natural and Applied Sciences (NOC 21) with 9.6%. Management - Sales and Service (NOC 06) rounded out the top five with 5.7%. By skill level, over one-third (36.3%) were intending to work at the Professional skill level (NOC level A). These are occupations that generally require a university education. Management (NOC level 0) was the goal of 29.7% of immigrants who had their skill level stated. This was followed by immigrants with Skilled and Technical skill level (NOC level B) at 20.8%. Occupations at this skill level generally require college or apprenticeship training. Immigrants intending to work in lesser skilled jobs, including Intermediate and Clerical (NOC level C) and Elemental and Labourer (NOC level D) represented 11.1% and 2.1%, respectively. Table 4: Immigrants to B.C. (aged 25 to 64) with skill level stated, Skill Level Managerial 29.5% 29.0% 29.7% A - Professional 37.7% 34.5% 36.3% B - Skilled and Technical 20.4% 23.9% 20.8% C - Intermediate and Clerical 12.1% 11.8% 11.1% D - Elemental and Labourer 0.4% 0.7% 2.1% Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Absolute Number 11,706 10,895 12,266 For more immigration and temporary resident reports and statistics, please visit: or For more information on the B.C. Immigration Trends: 2010 Highlights, contact: Kathy Knight Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Kathy.Knight@gov.bc.ca Thanks to David Chow for his work on the B.C. Immigration Trends during his time with the Immigration Research Unit.

5 5 APPENDIX TABLES - Data source for all tables, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Table 1: Immigration to B.C. by Immigration Class, and Principal Applicant or Dependant status, Immigration Class % Business Class Total 5,600 4,561 6,504 6,076 5, % Business Principal Applicants 1,626 1,298 1,847 1,748 1, % Business Spouses and Dependants 3,974 3,263 4,657 4,328 4, % Canadian Experience Class Total % CEC Principal Applicants % CEC Spouses and Dependants % Live-in Caregiver Program Total 1,528 1,519 2,546 2,662 2, % LCP Principal Applicants ,304 1, % LCP Spouses and Dependants ,358 1, % Federal Skilled Worker Class Total 16,688 14,793 16,040 12,086 16, % FSW Principal Applicants 6,557 5,720 6,106 4,599 6, % FSW Spouses and Dependants 10,131 9,073 9,934 7,487 10, % Provincial Nominee Program Total ,522 3,629 4,708 4, % PNP Principal Applicants ,610 2,228 2, % PNP Spouses and Dependants ,390 2,019 2,480 2, % Economic Class Total 25,740 23,395 28,719 25,917 30, % Family Class Total 13,460 12,613 12,424 12,612 10, % Other Total ,317 1, % Refugee Total 1,891 1,883 1,532 1,633 1, % Asylum Refugees % Dependants Abroad % Government Assisted Refugees % Privately Sponsored Refugees % B.C.Total 42,083 38,961 43,992 41,440 44, % Table 2: Top 10 Source Countries of Immigration to B.C., (based on country of last permanent residence) China 10,930 China 8,259 China 9,914 China 9,375 China 9,317 India 5,962 India 5,177 India 5,484 India 6,077 Philippines 6,661 Philippines 3,738 Philippines 3,953 Philippines 4,996 Philippines 4,623 India 5,850 United States 2,436 United States 2,632 South Korea 2,902 United Kingdom 2,654 United Kingdom 2,475 South Korea 2,320 South Korea 2,390 United States 2,657 South Korea 2,125 South Korea 2,164 Taiwan 1,922 United Kingdom 2,216 United Kingdom 2,522 United States 2,073 Taiwan 1,842 United Kingdom 1,717 Taiwan 1,869 Taiwan 2,085 Taiwan 1,631 United States 1,697 Iran 1,701 Iran 1,286 Iran 1,281 Iran 1,235 Iran 1,359 Hong Kong 592 Japan 592 Japan 601 Germany 631 Mexico 758 Pakistan 571 Singapore 511 Singapore 592 Japan 577 Singapore 631 Other Countries 10,194 Other Countries 10,076 Other Countries 10,958 Other Countries 10,439 Other Countries 11,422 B.C. Total 42,083 B.C. Total 38,961 B.C. Total 43,992 B.C. Total 41,440 B.C. Total 44,176

6 6 Glossary of Terms Economic Class Immigrant: Immigrants selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Canada s economy. Economic Class immigrants include Federal Skilled Workers, Business immigrants, Provincial/Territorial Nominees, Canadian Experience, and Live-in Caregivers. The Economic Class Immigrant category also includes spouses and dependants of principal applicants. Federal Skilled Worker: Immigrants in the Federal Skilled Worker Class are selected based on their education and skills, which will help ensure their success in the labour market and benefit the Canadian economy. Regulations for assessing Skilled Worker applications stress education, English or French language abilities, and work experience involving certain skills. Spouses and children are also included in the Skilled Worker Class. Business Immigrant: Part of the economic class, Business immigrants become permanent residents on the basis of their ability to become economically established in Canada. The spouses and children of Business immigrants are also included in the Business Class. There are three categories in the Business Class: Investor: Immigrants who are required to make a substantial investment in Canada for economic development and job creation. Entrepreneur: Immigrants who are experienced business persons who will own and actively manage businesses in Canada that contribute to the economy and create jobs. They must demonstrate business experience and have a minimum legally obtained net worth, and are subject to conditions upon arrival in Canada. Self-Employed People: Immigrants who are selected on the condition that they can and intend to create their own employment in Canada and that they can contribute significantly to the Canadian economy or to the cultural or athletic life of Canada. Provincial/Territorial Nominee: Immigrants in this category are selected by the province/territory to contribute to the local economy to meet specific labour market needs. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is made up of two main components: 1. Strategic Occupations - applications are considered in five categories including Skilled Workers, Designated Health Professionals, recent international graduates from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions, recent masters and doctorate graduates from a BC post-secondary institution in the natural, applied or health sciences (for this category only no job offer is required) and entry-level or semi-skilled workers in select occupations; and 2. Business applications are considered in three categories which are Business Skills, Regional Business and Strategic Projects. Canadian Experience Class: Immigrants in this category are selected to become permanent residents on the basis of their Canadian experience. This includes foreign worker with at least two years of full-time skilled work experience in Canada or a foreign graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution with at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada. This category also includes spouses and dependants of principal applicants. Live-in Caregiver: Immigrants who are granted permanent resident status after their participation as a temporary worker in the Live-in Caregiver Program. This program brings temporary residents to Canada as live-in employees to work in a private household to care for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Participants in this program may apply for permanent resident status within four years of arrival in Canada, after completing two years of employment as live-in caregivers. Non-Economic Class: Immigrants that are selected based on non-economic factors. They include members of the Family Class, Refugee Class and Other immigrants. Family Class: Immigrants who are sponsored by a Canadian or a permanent resident who is 18 years of age or over. Immigrants in this class include: spouses; common-law partners or conjugal partners; dependent children; parents and grandparents; children under age 18 whom the sponsor intends to adopt in Canada; children of whom the sponsor is the guardian; brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren who are orphans under age 18; and any other relative, if the sponsor has no relative as described above, either abroad or in Canada. Refugee: People in or outside of Canada who fear returning to their country of nationality or habitual residence for a wellfounded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. The Refugees Class includes four categories: Government Assisted Refugee; Privately Sponsored Refugee; Asylum Refugee and Refugee Dependants (i.e. dependants of refugees landed in Canada, including spouses or partners living abroad or in Canada). Other immigrants: This immigration class includes postdetermination refugee claimants in Canada, deferred removal orders, retirees (no longer designated under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act), temporary resident permit holders, humanitarian and compassionate cases, sponsored humanitarian and compassionate cases outside the family class, and people granted permanent resident status based on public policy considerations References: Citizenship and Immigration Canada British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program