African and Asian countries became more important for Canadian population growth over the past decade as the United States and United Kingdom fell off the list of the top 10 most important sources of new permanent residents to Canada.
In the first seven months of this year, India has provided 86,855 new permanent residents to Canada, the Philippines another 20,645 and China 19,055.
Here are the top 10 source countries of new permanent residents to Canada so far in 2024:
| 1 | India | 86,855 |
| 2 | Philippines | 20,645 |
| 3 | China | 19,055 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 12,280 |
| 5 | Cameroon | 10,960 |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 8,905 |
| 7 | Eritrea | 7,845 |
| 8 | Iran | 7,815 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 6,735 |
| 10 | France | 6,085 |
India’s phenomenal growth in Canada immigration number is even more evident when the trend of the first seven months of this year is projected out to the rest of 2024, indicating the Asian country could provide up to 148,894 new permanent residents to Canada this year.
That would be almost four times as many new permanent residents coming to Canada from India this year as did so a decade ago.
Not much has changed in the past decade among the top three most important sources of new permanent residents to Canada.
The Philippines, India and China headed the Canada immigration number list back in 2015 and they’re still at the top – although India now leads and the Philippines have fallen to second place.
In 2015, the Philippines provided 50,840 new permanent residents to Canada, India another 39,340, and China 19,460.
Sources Of Permanent Residents, 2015 vs 2024
| 2015 | 2024 | |||||
| Ranking | Full Year | First seven months | Projected full year | |||
| 1 | 50,840 | Philippines | 86,855 | India | 148,894 | |
| 2 | 39,340 | India | 20,645 | Philippines | 35,391 | |
| 3 | 19,460 | China | 19,055 | China | 32,666 | |
| 4 | 11,640 | Iran | 12,280 | Nigeria | 21,051 | |
| 5 | 11,300 | Pakistan | 10,960 | Cameroon | 18,789 | |
| 6 | 9,850 | Syria | 8,905 | Afghanistan | 15,266 | |
| 7 | 7,655 | USA | 7,845 | Eritrea | 13,449 | |
| 8 | 5,850 | France | 7,815 | Iran | 13,397 | |
| 9 | 5,360 | UK | 6,735 | Pakistan | 11,546 | |
| 10 | 4,105 | South Korea | 6,085 | France | 10,431 | |
Among the next seven countries on the Canada immigration number list, the most noticeable change in the past decade has been the disappearance of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Three African Nations On The Rise
In 2015, the United States was seventh on that list and the United Kingdom was ninth.
Although Canada’s southern neighbour is actually providing more new permanent residents, with those numbers growing from 7,655 in 2015 to a projected 10,080 for this year, the United Kingdom and its territories have seen a drop in emigration to Canada during that period.
The United Kingdom provided Canada with 5,360 new permanent residents in 2015. This year, it is projected to provide only 4,646.
These two traditionally-important sources of immigration are no longer high up on the Canada immigration number list, but rather three African countries that were not on the top 10 list at all back in 2015 in Nigeria, Cameroon and Eritrea.
On the west coast of Africa, Nigeria has grown to become the fourth most important source of new permanent residents to Canada, providing 12,280 immigrants to the country in the first seven months of this year, or a projected 21,051 by the end of 2024.
Nigeria’s neighbour, Cameroon, is in fifth place with 10,960 new permanent residents to Canada in the first seven months of this year, or a projected 18,789 by the year’s end.
On the other side of the African continent from Nigeria and Cameroon, Eritrea, a country that borders the Red Sea, is currently in seventh place on the top 10 Canada immigration number list.
An impressive 7,845 Eritreans became new permanent residents of Canada in the first seven months of this year, more than the total number of Americans who immigrated to Canada in all of 2015. At the current rate of immigration of Eritreans to Canada, the country could welcome 13,449 of them by the end of this year.
France, which was the eighth most important source of new permanent residents to Canada in 2015, has slipped to the tenth spot on that list despite now actually providing more immigrants.
In 2015, Canada welcomed 5,850 French nationals as new permanent residents. During the first seven months of this year, that was up to 6,085 and so could result in up to 10,431 new permanent residents to Canada from France by the end of this year.
Iran and Pakistan have also dropped in the rankings, with Iran going from the fourth spot to the eighth and Pakistan from the fifth position to the ninth.
Afghanistan Grew In Importance
In the first seven months of this year, Iran provided 7.815 new permanent residents to Canada and Pakistan another 6,735.
South Korea and Syria have also disappeared from the list of the top 10 most important sources of new permanent residents to Canada during the past decade.
Afghanistan, though, has grown in importance as a source of new permanent residents to Canada during that time, ranking sixth on the top 10 list with 8,905 Afghanis becoming new permanent residents here during the first seven months of this year.
Based on that trend, Canada could welcome 15,266 new permanent residents from Afghanistan by the end of this year.
Top 10 Citizenships Of New Permanent Residents Of Canada In 2023
| Country | Number of New Permanent Residents |
| India | 139,775 |
| China | 31,780 |
| Philippines | 26,955 |
| Afghanistan | 20,180 |
| Nigeria | 17,455 |
| Pakistan | 11,860 |
| Cameroon | 11,685 |
| Iran | 10,680 |
| Eritrea | 10,675 |
| United States | 10,640 |
Under its latest Immigration Levels Plan, Canada aims to welcome 85,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and another 500,000 in 2026, a total of 1.485 million immigrants over those three years.
FAQ: Top 10 Source Countries of New Permanent Residents of Canada in 2024
Which country provides the most new permanent residents to Canada in 2024?
India remains the largest source of new permanent residents to Canada in 2024. With 86,855 immigrants arriving in the first seven months of the year, India is expected to contribute nearly 148,894 new permanent residents by year-end. This continues India's dominance as a primary source of immigration to Canada, a trend that has only grown stronger over the last decade.
How have African countries' roles changed in Canadian immigration?
African countries have become increasingly important sources of immigration to Canada. In 2024, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Eritrea are all within the top 10, replacing traditionally important sources like the U.S. and U.K. Nigeria is projected to contribute over 21,000 new permanent residents, Cameroon nearly 19,000, and Eritrea approximately 13,400 by the end of 2024. This shift highlights Africa's growing role in Canada's immigration landscape.
What is the significance of the Philippines and China in Canadian immigration?
The Philippines and China remain significant sources of immigration to Canada. In 2024, the Philippines provided 20,645 new permanent residents, and China followed closely with 19,055. While the Philippines has dropped to the second spot behind India, China maintains a consistent position in the top three. Both countries have historically been top contributors and continue to play important roles in Canada’s population growth.
Why have the U.S. and U.K. fallen off the top 10 source countries list?
While the U.S. and U.K. provided substantial numbers of immigrants in the past, they have been overtaken by countries in Africa and Asia. The U.S. is projected to provide 10,080 new permanent residents in 2024, but it no longer ranks in the top 10. The U.K. saw a decrease in its numbers, from 5,360 in 2015 to a projected 4,646 in 2024, reflecting a broader trend of declining immigration from these historically important sources.
How has Afghanistan's role changed in Canadian immigration?
Afghanistan has seen a significant rise in its role as a source of new permanent residents to Canada. In the first seven months of 2024, 8,905 Afghans immigrated to Canada, and this number is projected to reach 15,266 by year’s end. This marks a notable increase from previous years, highlighting Afghanistan’s growing contribution to Canadian immigration, a trend likely influenced by geopolitical factors and Canada's humanitarian commitments.
