Canada is experiencing record levels of emigration, with new data showing more citizens and permanent residents are leaving the country than at any point in over seven decades.
According to Statistics Canada, an estimated 30,092 Canadians emigrated during the first quarter of 2026. The figure represents a 0.9% increase from the same period last year and marks the highest first-quarter emigration level since records began in 1952.
The data comes as Canada continues to face housing affordability challenges, rising living costs, and slowing economic growth, while many countries actively compete for skilled workers and professionals.
Canadian Emigration Reaches Highest Level Since Records Began
Statistics Canada defines emigration as Canadian citizens and permanent residents who permanently relocate abroad.
The latest figures show emigration has continued to trend higher in recent years:
- Q1 2023: 28,289 emigrants
- Q1 2024: 28,938 emigrants
- Q1 2025: 29,816 emigrants
- Q1 2026: 30,092 emigrants
While the annual increase was relatively modest, the first quarter of 2026 marked the fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth.
The latest figure is also the highest first-quarter total recorded in Statistics Canada’s dataset, which stretches back to 1952.
More Than 120,000 Canadians Left Over The Past Year
Looking at the longer-term trend reveals an even larger increase.
Statistics Canada estimates that 120,916 Canadians emigrated during the 12 months ending in Q1 2026. That’s an increase of 1.4% from the previous year and the highest rolling 12-month total on record.
The annual total has continued climbing over the past several years:
- Q1 2024: 118,016 emigrants
- Q1 2025: 119,287 emigrants
- Q1 2026: 120,916 emigrants
The data indicates Canadian emigration has continued to rise despite strong population growth driven by immigration.
Temporary Resident Departures Also Increased
The latest population estimates also show a significant increase in departures among non-permanent residents.
Statistics Canada reported that 199,260 non-permanent residents left Canada during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 16.5% compared to the same period one year earlier.
Non-permanent residents include international students, temporary foreign workers, and other individuals residing in Canada on temporary permits.
While departures among temporary residents have received significant attention in recent months due to federal efforts to reduce temporary population growth, emigration reflects a different trend—Canadian citizens and permanent residents voluntarily choosing to relocate abroad.
What Rising Emigration Could Mean
Emigration represents only a small share of Canada’s total population, but rising levels can have broader implications for economic growth and labour markets.
Many countries actively recruit skilled workers, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and technology talent. As global competition for workers intensifies, retaining highly educated and skilled Canadians may become increasingly important.
At the same time, Canada continues to rely heavily on immigration to support labour force growth and offset demographic challenges associated with an aging population.
Whether emigration continues to rise remains to be seen, but the latest data shows Canadians are leaving the country at the fastest pace recorded in more than seven decades.
References
Better Dwelling. (2026, June 18). Canadians are leaving at the fastest pace in 74 years. Better Dwelling. https://betterdwelling.com/canadians-are-leaving-at-the-fastest-pace-in-74-years/
Statistics Canada. (2026, June 18). Canada’s population estimates, first quarter 2026. Government of Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260618/dq260618c-eng.htm
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