According to the Canadian Census 2021 there were about 18.5 lakhs Indians residing in Canada. Indians contribute approximately 5.1% of Canada’s total population. This number is expected to grow to 19 lakhs in 2023.
Reasons why Indians migrate to Canada?
As per the most recent studies of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Canada has topped the list of “The Best Countries to Live In”. The school took a sample size of 17,000 global citizens to assess almost 78 countries across 77 different metrics. Out of all the countries, Indians accounted for the biggest immigrants in numbers (1,18,000) followed by China in the year 2022.
There are several reasons that contribute to attract Indians to Canada:
1 – Economic Opportunities
India’s economic growth has been surging recently due to various govt schemes and push for initiatives like Make in India, Startup India and Digital India, however, considering a large population the required employment rate would still take its course to compete with developed economies like Canada. Canada’s overall population as of 2021 was 4 crores, as compared to 130 crores in India which makes it easier for them to accommodate educated immigrants from across the globe and contribute to their economy. Canada offers a strong job proposition in industries like Information and technology with Indians getting placed with good salary packages as Tech Analysts, Tech Specialists, IT Engineers etc.
2 – Education System
Canada offers free education for primary, secondary and high schools in their public schools for all the permanent residents and the citizens starting from an early age of 5 years till 18 years. Moreover the education is mandatory for the children falling under the age bracket of 5-18. On the other hand, for temporary migrants the education fee will vary based upon certain required documents and provinces as each region has its unique rules to govern the education system. Canada’s higher education institutes have also long been focused on a multidisciplinary approach that aims on a holistic development of a student as a citizen. The same is being implemented in India as well now through the National Education Policy 2020, where Indian higher education institutes will follow a multidisciplinary curriculum allowing students to pursue dual degrees, distance learning and a major in their final year of courses.
3 – Cost of Living
It can certainly depend on the lifestyle of an individual and the province but an estimated $930 monthly is required to have a sound and better lifestyle in Canada. Canada also offers great healthcare infrastructure free of cost in most of the provinces, where even some private healthcare institutions are banned.
4 – Labour and Skilled Worker shortage
Canada has always been in the dearth of skilled labour/worker for which it continues to ease its immigration policies. Especially after the pandemic Canada is still struggling to cope up with their needs of skilled labour. As per the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) a number of 4,50,000 immigrants would still be needed by the end of 2024.
Canada is also known as one of the safest countries in the world.Infact, The Global Peace Index in 2021 stated that Canada was the sixth safest country in the world with crime rate of only 1.6 incidents per 1,00,000 as compared to its closest neighbor US which has a crime rate of 4.5 incidents per 1,00,000 people. Due to its ageing population and a low-birth rate Canada sees immigration as a means to enhance its young population, economy and cultural diversity.
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