Canada Immigration Trends Q3 2025 Reveal Rising Emigration Pressures

Canada’s population story in late 2025 is no longer driven by arrivals alone. According to newly released data, Canada immigration trends Q3 2025 show strong inflows of newcomers alongside a sharp rise in people leaving the country. The figures point to a demographic shift that policymakers, employers, and immigrants themselves can no longer ignore.

In the third quarter of 2025, Canada admitted 102,867 new permanent residents. While this level aligns closely with previous quarters, it coincided with a noticeable jump in emigration, reshaping the country’s net population growth picture.

Immigration Remains Stable While Exits Accelerate

Data published by Statistics Canada show that immigration levels in Q3 2025 remained consistent with Q1 and Q2 of the same year. However, the number of people leaving Canada rose sharply.

During the same quarter:

• 41,203 people emigrated from Canada
• 21,147 former residents returned
• Net emigration reached 20,056

This represents nearly double the emigration recorded in Q2 2025, signalling a growing trend of outward movement.

Canada Immigration Trends Q3 2025 and the Emigration Factor

The growing gap between those leaving and those returning is becoming a defining feature of Canada’s demographic profile. While immigration continues to replenish the population, higher emigration reduces the net gain and introduces new labour market pressures.

Several factors may be contributing to this rise in departures:

• Housing affordability challenges in major cities
• Cost-of-living pressures
• Job mobility and international opportunities
• Remote work flexibility enabling global relocation

At the same time, the return of over 21,000 former emigrants suggests that Canada remains attractive, even as some residents explore options abroad.

Non-Permanent Residents Add Complexity

Beyond permanent immigration, Q3 2025 data also show significant movement among non-permanent residents. Canada recorded a net decline of 176,479 non-permanent residents during the quarter. While inflows remained strong, outflows surged, indicating tighter controls and higher transition thresholds across temporary programs.

This shift affects:

• Employers dependent on temporary labour
• Communities with large international populations
• Provinces managing housing and service demand

What This Means for Population Planning

For policymakers, the takeaway is clear. Immigration targets alone do not determine population growth. Retention matters just as much. Rising emigration can offset strong admissions, particularly in skilled and working-age groups.

For immigrants, these patterns highlight the importance of long-term settlement support, job stability, and regional affordability. For Canada, the challenge lies in balancing attraction with retention.

As Canada prepares future immigration plans, Q3 2025 offers an early signal of changing mobility behaviour. Stable admissions paired with rising exits suggest a more fluid population than in previous years. Ultimately, Canada immigration trends Q3 2025 reinforce the need for policies that not only bring people in, but also encourage them to build lasting futures in the country.