Recent Immigrants in Metropolitan Areas: Canada—A Comparative Profile Based on the 2001 Census
Part D: Participation in the Economy
Participation in the labour market
Labour force participation lower the more recent the arrival
Very recent immigrants 15 to 64 years old are not as active in the labour market as the Canadian-born of the same age. The difference is 15% for women, and 7% for men. Labour force participation of immigrants who landed during the 1986-1995 period is more like that of the Canadian-born, while earlier immigrants tend to be somewhat more active in the labour market than the Canadian-born, regardless of their age and gender.
This pattern of adjustment, that is, greater involvement of immigrants in the Canadian labour market the longer their length of stay in Canada, is evident in all age groups, for both men and women. Immigrant women have a larger gap to bridge. The high participation of immigrant men 45 to 64 years of age who landed in Canada before 1986 suggests that they may be retiring later than the Canadian-born to make up for lower earnings following immigration. High participation of the small number of young earlier immigrants may have to do with differences in school attendance.
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||
| Canadian-born | 1,115,800 | 2,973,400 | 1,764,600 | 5,853,800 |
| Immigrants | 126,100 | 715,400 | 587,900 | 1,429,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 20,700 | 279,900 | 446,500 | 747,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 70,500 | 283,200 | 109,000 | 462,700 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 34,900 | 152,300 | 32,400 | 219,600 |
| Men | ||||
| Canadian-born | 1,193,800 | 3,267,800 | 2,096,400 | 6,558,000 |
| Immigrants | 132,600 | 771,300 | 725,800 | 1,629,600 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 22,200 | 295,300 | 545,100 | 862,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 76,500 | 296,700 | 131,700 | 504,900 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 33,900 | 179,300 | 49,000 | 262,200 |
| Total | ||||
| Canadian-born | 2,309,600 | 6,241,200 | 3,861,100 | 12,411,800 |
| Immigrants | 258,700 | 1,486,700 | 1,313,700 | 3,059,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 42,900 | 575,200 | 991,600 | 1,609,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 147,000 | 579,900 | 240,700 | 967,600 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 68,800 | 331,600 | 81,400 | 481,900 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Figure D-1: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—labour force participation rates, by age and gender, Canada, 2001
Note: Figures D-1 and D-2 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Overall, labour force participation was higher in 2001 than in 1996. The Canadian economy was stronger in 2001 than in 1996, and this drew people into the labour market from the ranks of newcomers (the young and the newly landed) and from among women and men aged 45 and over. Very recent immigrants showed gains in labour force participation of 3% for women, the same as for Canadian-born women, and 4% for men, compared to no change for Canadian-born men.
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 66% | 82% | 64% | 73% | 5,853,800 |
| Immigrants | 55% | 75% | 63% | 68% | 1,429,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 73% | 83% | 65% | 71% | 747,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 56% | 75% | 62% | 68% | 462,700 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 46% | 64% | 50% | 58% | 219,600 |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 67% | 92% | 79% | 82% | 6,558,000 |
| Immigrants | 55% | 90% | 81% | 82% | 1,629,600 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 73% | 92% | 82% | 85% | 862,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 56% | 90% | 82% | 81% | 504,900 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 48% | 85% | 74% | 75% | 262,200 |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 67% | 87% | 72% | 78% | 12,411,800 |
| Immigrants | 55% | 82% | 72% | 75% | 3,059,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 73% | 87% | 73% | 78% | 1,609,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 56% | 82% | 72% | 74% | 967,600 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 47% | 74% | 62% | 66% | 481,900 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Pattern of adjustment similar for most levels of education
Generally speaking, the higher the level of education the greater the proportion of people who participate in the labour market. This observation holds for the Canadian-born as well as for all three groups of immigrants. The major exception concerns men who immigrated after 1986 and who at the time of the 2001 Census had only attended elementary school. They had a higher participation rate than those with some high school.
Immigrants with little schooling, even very recent immigrants, are more active in the labour market than the Canadian-born with low education. But at other education levels, there is a common pattern of relatively low participation rates for very recent immigrants, and convergence to the rates of the Canadian-born with longer stay. Men with some high school or a high school diploma face a larger adjustment gap after arrival than men with post-secondary training. Women, at all but the lowest level of educational attainment, face a larger gap in labour force participation, with rates 13% to 20% lower than their Canadian-born counterparts.
Participation rates by level of education have changed very little since 1996. The very recent immigrants were the only group with higher participation in 2001 than in 1996 for both genders and nearly all education levels, but the increases were only 1% to 3%.
| Less than grade 9 | Some high school | High school diploma | College or trade diploma | University degree | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 127,100 | 1,020,300 | 1,585,800 | 2,044,200 | 1,076,500 | 5,853,800 |
| Immigrants | 92,100 | 200,400 | 326,900 | 451,500 | 358,500 | 1,429,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 55,300 | 103,600 | 167,600 | 255,800 | 164,700 | 747,100 |
| Immigrated 1986- 1995 | 27,000 | 69,400 | 114,900 | 142,300 | 109,100 | 462,700 |
| Immigrated 1996- 2001 | 9,900 | 27,400 | 44,400 | 53,400 | 84,600 | 219,600 |
| Men | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 266,900 | 1,422,100 | 1,649,800 | 2,175,500 | 1,043,700 | 6,558,000 |
| Immigrants | 106,100 | 240,000 | 321,900 | 504,600 | 457,100 | 1,629,600 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 64,700 | 124,000 | 156,000 | 307,200 | 210,800 | 862,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
31,100 | 84,800 | 120,800 | 141,300 | 126,800 | 504,900 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
10,200 | 31,200 | 45,100 | 56,100 | 119,500 | 262,200 |
| Total | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 394,000 | 2,442,400 | 3,235,600 | 4,219,600 | 2,120,200 | 12,411,800 |
| Immigrants | 198,200 | 440,400 | 648,800 | 956,100 | 815,600 | 3,059,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 120,000 | 227,600 | 323,600 | 563,000 | 375,500 | 1,609,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
58,100 | 154,200 | 235,700 | 283,500 | 236,000 | 967,600 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
20,100 | 58,600 | 89,500 | 109,500 | 204,200 | 481,900 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
| Less than grade 9 | Some high school | High school diploma | College or trade diploma | University degree | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 34% | 56% | 75% | 82% | 86% | 73% |
| Immigrants | 43% | 55% | 67% | 76% | 78% | 68% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 44% | 62% | 72% | 78% | 83% | 71% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 46% | 53% | 66% | 79% | 80% | 68% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 38% | 43% | 54% | 65% | 68% | 58% |
| Men | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 59% | 70% | 86% | 90% | 91% | 82% |
| Immigrants | 71% | 70% | 80% | 88% | 88% | 82% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 69% | 80% | 86% | 87% | 90% | 85% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 76% | 65% | 78% | 90% | 89% | 81% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 67% | 53% | 69% | 84% | 84% | 75% |
| Total | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 48% | 64% | 80% | 86% | 88% | 78% |
| Immigrants | 55% | 62% | 73% | 82% | 83% | 75% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 54% | 70% | 78% | 83% | 87% | 78% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 58% | 59% | 72% | 84% | 85% | 74% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 48% | 48% | 61% | 73% | 77% | 66% |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Figure D-2: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—labour force participation rates, by level of education and gender, Canada, 2001
Note: Figures D-1 and D-2 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Knowledge of English important for labour force participation
Most immigrants can converse in either English or French when they immigrate to Canada. Those who do not speak English or French are not nearly as active in the labour market as those who do. Immigrants who do not speak official languages probably have difficulty finding jobs with employers who do not speak their native tongue. The gap in labour force participation between those who speak neither official language, and those who speak one or both, is larger for earlier than for recent immigrants, and for women than for men.
For both genders, labour force participation is higher among the English-speaking than the French-speaking population, and it generally highest among those who are bilingual, if not much higher than among English-speaking persons. This applies to immigrants as well as the Canadian-born, which suggests that differences among labour markets in different parts of the country play an important role with respect to labour market participation by immigrants.
| English only | French only | Both French and English | Neither French nor English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 3,698,700 | 776,400 | 1,377,600 | – | 5,853,800 |
| Immigrants | 1,151,300 | 42,500 | 190,800 | 44,800 | 1,429,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 605,300 | 18,500 | 112,400 | 10,900 | 747,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 373,200 | 15,900 | 54,700 | 18,900 | 462,700 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 172,700 | 8,100 | 23,700 | 15,100 | 219,600 |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 4,260,200 | 804,000 | 1,492,600 | – | 6,558,000 |
| Immigrants | 1,317,900 | 41,000 | 229,600 | 41,200 | 1,629,600 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 699,200 | 18,100 | 135,400 | 9,900 | 862,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 408,300 | 14,800 | 63,200 | 18,600 | 504,900 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 210,400 | 8,100 | 31,000 | 12,800 | 262,200 |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 7,958,900 | 1,580,400 | 2,870,200 | – | 12,411,800 |
| Immigrants | 2,469,200 | 83,500 | 420,400 | 86,000 | 3,059,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 1,304,500 | 36,600 | 247,800 | 20,700 | 1,609,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 781,500 | 30,700 | 117,900 | 37,400 | 967,600 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 383,100 | 16,200 | 54,700 | 27,800 | 481,900 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
| English only | French only | Both French and English | Neither French nor English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 74% | 64% | 76% | – | 73% |
| Immigrants | 69% | 58% | 73% | 40% | 68% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 71% | 58% | 77% | 38% | 71% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 71% | 61% | 69% | 42% | 68% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 60% | 53% | 65% | 38% | 58% |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 83% | 77% | 83% | – | 82% |
| Immigrants | 83% | 75% | 83% | 64% | 82% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 85% | 76% | 86% | 64% | 85% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 82% | 77% | 79% | 69% | 81% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 76% | 71% | 78% | 59% | 75% |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 78% | 70% | 80% | – | 78% |
| Immigrants | 76% | 65% | 78% | 49% | 75% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 78% | 66% | 82% | 47% | 78% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 76% | 68% | 74% | 52% | 74% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 68% | 61% | 72% | 45% | 66% |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Unemployment not uncommon during initial years
Immigrants who have been in Canada for only a few years are more likely to experience unemployment than those who have been in the country for a longer period of time. For instance, very recent immigrant men experienced unemployment rates from 11% to 15%, depending on their age group; in comparison, very recent immigrant women experienced rates of 16% to 17%. Unemployment is significantly lower among persons who immigrated before 1996, except for the youngest age group.
The unemployment rate was lower in 2001 than in 1996 for all groups shown in Table D-8. The decline was greater for the young and for very recent immigrants—4% to 9%—than for other groups—2% to 5%. All groups experienced lower unemployment, while the increase in labour force participation that occurred was not as universal, as shown earlier.
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||
| Canadian-born | 141,600 | 180,800 | 86,200 | 408,700 |
| Immigrants | 18,700 | 63,400 | 33,700 | 115,800 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 2,500 | 15,700 | 20,200 | 38,400 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 10,400 | 23,700 | 8,400 | 42,400 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 5,800 | 24,000 | 5,100 | 35,000 |
| Men | ||||
| Canadian-born | 169,800 | 216,100 | 128,900 | 514,800 |
| Immigrants | 19,700 | 53,400 | 38,200 | 111,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 3,000 | 14,200 | 23,500 | 40,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 11,500 | 18,900 | 8,600 | 39,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 5,100 | 20,300 | 6,100 | 31,600 |
| Total | ||||
| Canadian-born | 311,400 | 396,900 | 215,100 | 923,400 |
| Immigrants | 38,400 | 116,800 | 71,900 | 227,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 5,500 | 29,900 | 43,600 | 79,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 21,900 | 42,500 | 17,000 | 81,500 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 11,000 | 44,400 | 11,300 | 66,600 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 13% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 408,700 |
| Immigrants | 15% | 9% | 6% | 8% | 115,800 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 12% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 38,400 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 15% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 42,400 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 17% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 35,000 |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 14% | 7% | 6% | 8% | 514,800 |
| Immigrants | 15% | 7% | 5% | 7% | 111,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 14% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 40,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 15% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 39,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 15% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 31,600 |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 13% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 923,400 |
| Immigrants | 15% | 8% | 5% | 7% | 227,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 13% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 79,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 15% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 81,500 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 16% | 13% | 14% | 14% | 66,600 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
The pattern just displayed, of unemployment rates that vary inversely with length of stay in Canada, occurs at all levels of education. For instance, men who immigrated after 1996, and have a high school diploma, have an unemployment rate of 12%. The rate drops to 9% for immigrants who landed between 1986 and 1995.
Immigrant women experience more unemployment than men with the same level of education during the first five years in Canada and also during the next ten years. The gap between recent immigrants and the Canadian-born is also larger for women than for men, again for any level of education.
Less educated recent immigrants experience lower unemployment in comparison to their Canadian-born counterparts than recent immigrants with more education. This suggests that it takes time for better educated immigrants to find steady employment at a level that corresponds to their level of education. Regardless of their education level, earlier immigrants generally experience slightly lower unemployment than the Canadian-born.
All groups shown in the table had a lower unemployment rate in 2001 than in 1996. The unemployment rate declined more for recent and very recent immigrants than for earlier immigrants and the Canadian-born. As well, the improvement was generally greater the lower the level of education.
| Less than grade 9 | Some high school | High school diploma | College or trade diploma | University degree | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 19,500 | 110,200 | 122,500 | 114,000 | 42,500 | 408,700 |
| Immigrants | 9,600 | 18,800 | 28,600 | 30,900 | 27,900 | 115,800 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 4,200 | 6,300 | 9,100 | 12,500 | 6,300 | 38,400 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 3,400 | 8,300 | 12,500 | 10,600 | 7,700 | 42,400 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 2,000 | 4,200 | 7,000 | 7,900 | 14,000 | 35,000 |
| Men | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 45,400 | 164,200 | 132,700 | 137,100 | 35,400 | 514,800 |
| Immigrants | 7,400 | 19,300 | 25,300 | 29,900 | 29,400 | 111,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 3,500 | 7,500 | 8,600 | 14,400 | 6,700 | 40,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 2,700 | 8,100 | 11,200 | 9,100 | 7,900 | 39,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 1,300 | 3,700 | 5,500 | 6,300 | 14,700 | 31,600 |
| Total | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 64,900 | 274,400 | 255,300 | 251,100 | 77,900 | 923,400 |
| Immigrants | 17,000 | 38,100 | 53,800 | 60,900 | 57,300 | 227,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 7,700 | 13,700 | 17,700 | 26,900 | 13,000 | 79,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 6,000 | 16,400 | 23,700 | 19,700 | 15,600 | 81,500 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 3,300 | 7,900 | 12,400 | 14,200 | 28,700 | 66,600 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
| Less than grade 9 | Some high school | High school diploma | College or trade diploma | University degree | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 15% | 11% | 8% | 6% | 4% | 7% |
| Immigrants | 10% | 9% | 9% | 7% | 8% | 8% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 8% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 13% | 12% | 11% | 7% | 7% | 9% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 20% | 15% | 16% | 15% | 17% | 16% |
| Men | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 17% | 12% | 8% | 6% | 3% | 8% |
| Immigrants | 7% | 8% | 8% | 6% | 6% | 7% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 5% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 3% | 5% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 9% | 10% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 8% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 12% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% |
| Total | ||||||
| Canadian-born | 16% | 11% | 8% | 6% | 4% | 7% |
| Immigrants | 9% | 9% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 7% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 3% | 5% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 10% | 11% | 10% | 7% | 7% | 8% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 16% | 14% | 14% | 13% | 14% | 14% |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Recent immigrants who speak English, whether male or female, are less likely to be unemployed than those that do not, those who speak French, or those who are bilingual. The probability of being unemployed is highest among recent immigrants who speak French, and it is quite similar for those who speak neither language and those who speak both.
Lack of knowledge of Canada’s languages appears to be a barrier to labour force participation. While knowledge of English is an asset for recent immigrants in the labour market, the unemployment rates of French-speaking recent immigrants suggest that they may have difficulty adjusting to the Canadian labour market. Differences in unemployment rates by knowledge of languages, however, may reflect differences between local labour markets. Between 85% and 90% of unilingual French immigrants and recent immigrants live in Montreal, Ottawa and Québec, and in 2001, unemployment was relatively high in Montreal.
| English only | French only | Both French and English | Neither French nor English | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 254,100 | 62,700 | 91,700 | – | 408,700 |
| Immigrants | 85,900 | 7,100 | 16,400 | 6,300 | 115,800 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 28,600 | 2,200 | 6,400 | 1,200 | 38,400 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 31,600 | 2,700 | 5,900 | 2,300 | 42,400 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 25,700 | 2,300 | 4,200 | 2,800 | 35,000 |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 324,700 | 81,900 | 107,900 | – | 514,800 |
| Immigrants | 82,000 | 5,400 | 19,400 | 4,600 | 111,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 30,600 | 1,400 | 8,000 | 800 | 40,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 28,800 | 2,100 | 6,400 | 1,800 | 39,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 22,700 | 1,900 | 5,000 | 2,000 | 31,600 |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 578,800 | 144,600 | 199,700 | – | 923,400 |
| Immigrants | 167,900 | 12,600 | 35,800 | 10,900 | 227,100 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 59,100 | 3,600 | 14,300 | 2,000 | 79,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 60,400 | 4,800 | 12,300 | 4,100 | 81,500 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 48,400 | 4,200 | 9,200 | 4,800 | 66,600 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Share of men and women with jobs increases with length of stay
One in two very recent immigrant women aged 15 to 64 are employed compared to two in three Canadian-born women. For men, the difference is smaller: two out of three very recent immigrants are employed, and three out of four Canadian-born men. As shown in the previous pages, these differences in employment ratios reflect mainly differences in labour force participation rates.
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||
| Canadian-born | 974,200 | 2,792,600 | 1,678,400 | 5,445,200 |
| Immigrants | 107,400 | 652,000 | 554,300 | 1,313,600 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 18,200 | 264,200 | 426,400 | 708,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 60,100 | 259,500 | 100,600 | 420,300 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 29,100 | 128,300 | 27,300 | 184,600 |
| Men | ||||
| Canadian-born | 1,024,000 | 3,051,700 | 1,967,600 | 6,043,200 |
| Immigrants | 112,900 | 717,900 | 687,500 | 1,518,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 19,200 | 281,100 | 521,600 | 821,800 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 64,900 | 277,800 | 123,000 | 465,800 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 28,800 | 159,000 | 42,900 | 230,600 |
| Total | ||||
| Canadian-born | 1,998,200 | 5,844,200 | 3,646,000 | 11,488,400 |
| Immigrants | 220,300 | 1,369,900 | 1,241,800 | 2,832,000 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 37,300 | 545,300 | 948,000 | 1,530,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 125,100 | 537,400 | 223,700 | 886,100 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 57,900 | 287,200 | 70,200 | 415,300 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
Among immigrants who landed before 1986, employment is significantly more common than among the more recently landed, but not quite as common as among the Canadian-born. However, earlier immigrants of either gender and in all three age groups are more likely to be employed than their Canadian-born counterparts.
In 2001 employment was higher among all groups than in 1996. The changes were greater for the young and older than for those of prime labour force age. The very recent immigrants made the largest gain. The share of very recent immigrants who were employed was 6% higher in 2001 than in 1996.
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 57% | 77% | 61% | 68% | 5,445,200 |
| Immigrants | 46% | 68% | 60% | 62% | 1,313,600 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 64% | 78% | 62% | 67% | 708,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 47% | 69% | 57% | 62% | 420,300 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 38% | 54% | 42% | 49% | 184,600 |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 58% | 86% | 74% | 76% | 6,043,200 |
| Immigrants | 47% | 84% | 77% | 76% | 1,518,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 63% | 88% | 78% | 81% | 821,800 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 47% | 85% | 76% | 74% | 465,800 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 40% | 76% | 65% | 66% | 230,600 |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 58% | 82% | 68% | 72% | 11,488,400 |
| Immigrants | 47% | 76% | 68% | 69% | 2,832,000 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 64% | 83% | 70% | 74% | 1,530,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 47% | 76% | 67% | 68% | 886,100 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 39% | 64% | 54% | 57% | 415,300 |
Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).
The jobs of recent immigrants
Part-time jobs more common for very recent male immigrants
The proportion of employed persons who work part-time varies considerably by age and gender. Half or more of employed young adults work part-time, mainly because many also attend school. One-fifth to one-quarter of employed women aged 25 to 44 and 45 to 64 work part-time, while fewer than one in ten men do so. Part-time employment is more common among very recent immigrant men than among other groups of men.
The prevalence of part-time employment was marginally lower for the various cohorts in 2001 than in 1996 for most age groups with the exception of an increase for very recent young immigrants.
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||
| Canadian-born | 706,900 | 721,800 | 484,500 | 1,913,100 |
| Immigrants | 73,500 | 143,900 | 141,500 | 358,800 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 11,200 | 57,400 | 110,200 | 178,800 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 46,500 | 59,400 | 24,100 | 130,100 |
| Immigrated 1996-1999 | 15,800 | 27,000 | 7,100 | 49,900 |
| Men | ||||
| Canadian-born | 604,100 | 195,400 | 175,600 | 975,100 |
| Immigrants | 66,700 | 50,200 | 57,600 | 174,500 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 9,600 | 17,200 | 40,800 | 67,500 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 42,600 | 21,300 | 11,700 | 75,600 |
| Immigrated 1996-1999 | 14,500 | 11,800 | 5,100 | 31,400 |
| Total | ||||
| Canadian-born | 1,311,000 | 917,100 | 660,100 | 2,888,200 |
| Immigrants | 140,100 | 194,100 | 199,000 | 533,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 20,800 | 74,600 | 151,000 | 246,300 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 89,100 | 80,700 | 35,800 | 205,600 |
| Immigrated 1996-1999 | 30,300 | 38,800 | 12,200 | 81,300 |
Note: Tables D-15 and D-16 do not include immigrants who landed in 2000 or 2001. Only persons who landed before 2000 are included among immigrants and very recent immigrants. Part-time employment is defined as having worked less than 30 hours per week during most of the weeks worked in the year 2000.
| 15 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 to 64 years | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | ||||
| Canadian-born | 58% | 24% | 26% | 31% |
| Immigrants | 59% | 21% | 23% | 25% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 52% | 20% | 24% | 23% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 62% | 21% | 22% | 27% |
| Immigrated 1996-1999 | 57% | 24% | 27% | 30% |
| Men | ||||
| Canadian-born | 47% | 6% | 8% | 14% |
| Immigrants | 50% | 7% | 8% | 11% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 40% | 6% | 7% | 8% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 52% | 7% | 9% | 15% |
| Immigrated 1996-1999 | 52% | 9% | 13% | 16% |
| Total | ||||
| Canadian-born | 52% | 14% | 16% | 22% |
| Immigrants | 54% | 14% | 15% | 18% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 46% | 13% | 15% | 15% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 57% | 14% | 15% | 21% |
| Immigrated 1996-1999 | 54% | 16% | 19% | 22% |
Note: Tables D-15 and D-16 do not include immigrants who landed in 2000 or 2001. Only persons who landed before 2000 are included among immigrants and very recent immigrants. Part-time employment is defined as having worked less than 30 hours per week during most of the weeks worked in the year 2000.
Very recent male immigrants in health and science, women in processing
| Sales and services | Pro- cessing |
Admin- istrative |
Manage- ment and social sciences |
Trades, transport | Health, science | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 1,021,900 | 244,300 | 1,376,700 | 1,135,600 | 100,000 | 592,500 | 4,471,000 |
| Immigrants | 298,000 | 139,400 | 320,300 | 253,500 | 29,500 | 165,500 | 1,206,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
157,500 | 62,600 | 200,500 | 162,400 | 16,500 | 91,200 | 690,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
97,000 | 54,000 | 86,500 | 63,100 | 9,500 | 50,100 | 360,200 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
43,500 | 22,800 | 33,300 | 28,000 | 3,600 | 24,200 | 155,500 |
| Men | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 751,400 | 692,800 | 466,800 | 1,145,600 | 1,376,600 | 586,000 | 5,019,200 |
| Immigrants | 225,500 | 185,500 | 129,800 | 314,100 | 320,100 | 230,400 | 1,405,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
121,300 | 91,500 | 73,600 | 203,500 | 194,900 | 117,900 | 802,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
70,300 | 62,600 | 37,200 | 74,800 | 93,400 | 62,500 | 400,900 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
33,800 | 31,300 | 19,000 | 35,800 | 31,900 | 50,000 | 201,900 |
| Total | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 1,773,300 | 937,200 | 1,843,600 | 2,281,200 | 1,476,600 | 1,178,400 | 9,490,200 |
| Immigrants | 523,500 | 324,900 | 450,100 | 567,600 | 349,700 | 395,900 | 2,611,700 |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
278,900 | 154,100 | 274,100 | 365,800 | 211,300 | 209,000 | 1,493,300 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
167,300 | 116,600 | 123,700 | 137,900 | 102,900 | 112,700 | 761,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
77,400 | 54,200 | 52,300 | 63,800 | 35,500 | 74,200 | 357,400 |
| Women | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 23% | 5% | 31% | 25% | 2% | 13% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 25% | 12% | 27% | 21% | 2% | 14% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
23% | 9% | 29% | 24% | 2% | 13% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
27% | 15% | 24% | 18% | 3% | 14% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
28% | 15% | 21% | 18% | 2% | 16% | 100% |
| Men | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 15% | 14% | 9% | 23% | 27% | 12% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 16% | 13% | 9% | 22% | 23% | 16% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
15% | 11% | 9% | 25% | 24% | 15% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
18% | 16% | 9% | 19% | 23% | 16% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
17% | 16% | 9% | 18% | 16% | 25% | 100% |
| Total | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 19% | 10% | 19% | 24% | 16% | 12% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 20% | 12% | 17% | 22% | 13% | 15% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
19% | 10% | 18% | 24% | 14% | 14% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
22% | 15% | 16% | 18% | 14% | 15% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
22% | 15% | 15% | 18% | 10% | 21% | 100% |
Note: Job characteristics presented in Tables D-17 to D-20 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
Figure D-3: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—occupation groups, by gender, Canada, 2001 (percentage distribution)
Note: Job characteristics presented in Figures D-3 to D-6 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
Generally, immigrants and the Canadian-born have made similar choices with regard to their occupation. Among the more significant differences is the fact that immigrant women are more likely than the Canadian-born to work in processing occupations, and also to some extent in sales and service occupations. Health and science occupations are more common among immigrant men than among their Canadian-born counterparts. Offsetting this is the lower presence of immigrant women in administrative occupations and in management and social occupations, and of immigrant men in trades and transport occupations. These differences are more pronounced for the more recent immigrant cohorts.
Most remarkable for the latest immigrant cohort is the high share of occupations of men in the health and science field, and the low share in trades and transport. This is something specific to the latest cohort, as five years earlier the share of jobs in health occupations was quite similar across all groups including very recent immigrants.
There are probably many factors that contribute to these patterns, including the selection of immigrants (reflecting both government policies and the demand for skills from industry) and their level of education and field of studies.
Many very recent immigrants in manufacturing and business services
A large proportion of employed recent immigrants aged 25 to 64 work in manufacturing industries, business services industries, and hospitality and other services. In contrast, construction and transportation and the public sector account for a smaller share of the jobs of recent immigrants than of the Canadian-born.
Compared to 1996, employment in business services industries is more prevalent among the very recent immigrant cohort and employment in hospitality and other services is less prevalent. This reflects the patterns of employment growth in the economy since 1996.
| Manu- facturing |
Con- struction and Trans- portation |
Trade | Busi- ness services |
Public sector |
Hospi- tality and other services |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 496,100 | 286,800 | 658,600 | 692,500 | 1,755,500 | 581,500 | 4,471,000 |
| Immigrants | 202,200 | 58,400 | 172,700 | 216,700 | 356,400 | 199,900 | 1,206,300 |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
100,000 | 37,500 | 96,200 | 122,600 | 232,700 | 101,600 | 690,600 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
71,600 | 15,100 | 52,300 | 63,000 | 90,400 | 67,700 | 360,200 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
30,700 | 5,800 | 24,200 | 31,100 | 33,300 | 30,600 | 155,500 |
| Men | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 1,283,400 | 1,081,700 | 816,300 | 634,000 | 805,600 | 398,100 | 5,019,200 |
| Immigrants | 367,400 | 247,300 | 212,900 | 239,800 | 168,400 | 169,500 | 1,405,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
199,100 | 153,700 | 118,600 | 125,900 | 116,200 | 89,200 | 802,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
112,500 | 68,800 | 63,500 | 64,800 | 35,700 | 55,600 | 400,900 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
55,800 | 24,900 | 30,900 | 49,000 | 16,500 | 24,800 | 201,900 |
| Total | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 1,779,500 | 1,368,500 | 1,474,900 | 1,326,600 | 2,561,100 | 979,600 | 9,490,200 |
| Immigrants | 569,600 | 305,800 | 385,600 | 456,400 | 524,800 | 369,500 | 2,611,700 |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
299,100 | 191,200 | 214,700 | 248,500 | 348,900 | 190,800 | 1,493,300 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
184,100 | 83,900 | 115,900 | 127,800 | 126,200 | 123,300 | 761,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
86,500 | 30,700 | 55,000 | 80,100 | 49,700 | 55,400 | 357,400 |
| Women | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 11% | 6% | 15% | 15% | 39% | 13% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 17% | 5% | 14% | 18% | 30% | 17% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
14% | 5% | 14% | 18% | 34% | 15% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
20% | 4% | 15% | 17% | 25% | 19% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
20% | 4% | 16% | 20% | 21% | 20% | 100% |
| Men | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 26% | 22% | 16% | 13% | 16% | 8% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 26% | 18% | 15% | 17% | 12% | 12% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
25% | 19% | 15% | 16% | 14% | 11% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
28% | 17% | 16% | 16% | 9% | 14% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
28% | 12% | 15% | 24% | 8% | 12% | 100% |
| Total | |||||||
| Canadian-born | 19% | 14% | 16% | 14% | 27% | 10% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 22% | 12% | 15% | 17% | 20% | 14% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 |
20% | 13% | 14% | 17% | 23% | 13% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 |
24% | 11% | 15% | 17% | 17% | 16% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 |
24% | 9% | 15% | 22% | 14% | 16% | 100% |
Note: Job characteristics presented in Tables D-17 to D-20 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
Figure D-4: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—industry sector, by gender, Canada, 2001 (percentage distribution)
Note: Job characteristics presented in Figures D-3 to D-6 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
Skill requirements of jobs of recent immigrant women somewhat lower
| No formal education |
High school plus job training | College or trade apprenticeship |
University | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 390,200 | 1,458,900 | 1,275,600 | 1,346,200 | 4,471,000 |
| Immigrants | 148,100 | 430,300 | 295,800 | 332,000 | 1,206,000 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 69,700 | 231,800 | 182,800 | 206,400 | 691,000 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 54,100 | 139,900 | 81,000 | 85,100 | 360,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 24,300 | 58,600 | 32,100 | 40,500 | 156,000 |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 435,700 | 1,362,800 | 1,731,700 | 1,489,000 | 5,019,200 |
| Immigrants | 132,200 | 368,900 | 426,600 | 477,700 | 1,405,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 63,800 | 190,700 | 263,100 | 285,000 | 802,700 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 45,000 | 122,600 | 115,300 | 118,000 | 400,900 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 23,300 | 55,500 | 48,300 | 74,700 | 201,900 |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 825,900 | 2,821,800 | 3,007,300 | 2,835,200 | 9,490,200 |
| Immigrants | 280,300 | 799,300 | 722,400 | 809,700 | 2,611,700 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 133,500 | 422,500 | 445,900 | 491,400 | 1,493,300 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 99,100 | 262,600 | 196,200 | 203,100 | 761,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 47,700 | 114,200 | 80,300 | 115,200 | 357,400 |
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 9% | 33% | 29% | 30% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 12% | 36% | 25% | 28% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 10% | 34% | 26% | 30% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 15% | 39% | 22% | 24% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 16% | 38% | 21% | 26% | 100% |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 9% | 27% | 35% | 30% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 9% | 26% | 30% | 34% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 8% | 24% | 33% | 36% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 11% | 31% | 29% | 29% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 12% | 28% | 24% | 37% | 100% |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 9% | 30% | 32% | 30% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 11% | 31% | 28% | 31% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 9% | 28% | 30% | 33% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 13% | 35% | 26% | 27% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 13% | 32% | 22% | 32% | 100% |
Note: Job characteristics presented in Tables D-17 to D-20 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
Figure D-5: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—skill requirements of jobs, by gender, Canada, 2001 (percentage distribution)
Note: Job characteristics presented in Figures D-3 to D-6 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
The jobs of recent immigrants require somewhat lower skills than the jobs of the Canadian-born. Three in ten jobs of Canadian-born women require the highest level of skill, a university education. For women who landed after 1986, one-quarter of jobs require a university education. The lowest level of skill is required for a larger share of the jobs of very recent immigrants than the jobs of the Canadian-born. The differences are modest, and they are larger for women than for men.
For both men and women, the skill content of jobs of immigrants who landed before 1986 is closer to that of the Canadian-born, which suggests the situation of immigrants approaches the situation of the Canadian-born as their stay in Canada lengthens. However, the jobs of very recent immigrants require as much or more skill than the jobs of immigrants who landed during the 1986-1995 period. The share of jobs requiring a university degree is rather high for the latest immigrants.
As there are differences in educational attainment between recent immigrants and the Canadian-born, the information presented in Table D-19 does not directly indicate whether the skills of recent immigrants are fully or less than fully employed in the economy. To determine this, one has to compare the skill levels of jobs of recent immigrants and the Canadian-born for a given level of education. This is done in Table D-20 for persons holding a university degree.
Education of recent immigrants not fully utilized
The jobs of recent immigrants with a university degree do not require the same level of skill as the jobs of the Canadian-born. Seven in ten employed Canadian-born women with a university degree have a job requiring a university degree. However, only four in ten employed women who immigrated after 1995 have a job at that level. Three-quarters of Canadian-born men with a university degree, but only 57% of very recent immigrant men who graduated from university, have a job requiring a university education. Thus, the similarity in the skill requirements of jobs of recent immigrants and the Canadian-born shown earlier is a result of higher educational attainment of recent immigrants and lower skill requirements of their jobs.
The skill level of jobs of university graduates did not change in a major way between 1996 and 2001. The share of their jobs requiring university level skills increased by 2% for the Canadian-born and by 5% for very recent immigrants, and did not change for other immigrants.
| No formal education |
High school plus job training | College or trade apprenticeship | University | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 10,300 | 106,500 | 159,300 | 675,100 | 951,200 |
| Immigrants | 13,300 | 65,700 | 62,300 | 177,300 | 318,600 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 2,900 | 22,900 | 28,900 | 100,700 | 155,300 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 4,800 | 23,100 | 20,100 | 47,300 | 95,400 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 5,700 | 19,700 | 13,300 | 29,300 | 67,900 |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 15,000 | 79,000 | 148,500 | 719,700 | 962,100 |
| Immigrants | 15,500 | 55,300 | 71,100 | 277,600 | 419,400 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 3,700 | 18,000 | 30,800 | 149,300 | 201,800 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 4,900 | 18,400 | 21,300 | 70,000 | 114,700 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 6,800 | 18,900 | 18,900 | 58,300 | 102,900 |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 25,200 | 185,600 | 307,700 | 1,394,800 | 1,913,300 |
| Immigrants | 28,800 | 121,000 | 133,400 | 454,900 | 738,000 |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 6,600 | 40,900 | 59,700 | 249,900 | 357,100 |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 9,700 | 41,500 | 41,500 | 117,300 | 210,000 |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 12,500 | 38,600 | 32,200 | 87,600 | 170,900 |
| Women | |||||
| Canadian-born | 1% | 11% | 17% | 71% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 4% | 21% | 20% | 56% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 2% | 15% | 19% | 65% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 5% | 24% | 21% | 50% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 8% | 29% | 20% | 43% | 100% |
| Men | |||||
| Canadian-born | 2% | 8% | 15% | 75% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 4% | 13% | 17% | 66% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 2% | 9% | 15% | 74% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 4% | 16% | 19% | 61% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 7% | 18% | 18% | 57% | 100% |
| Total | |||||
| Canadian-born | 1% | 10% | 16% | 73% | 100% |
| Immigrants | 4% | 16% | 18% | 62% | 100% |
| Immigrated before 1986 | 2% | 11% | 17% | 70% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1986-1995 | 5% | 20% | 20% | 56% | 100% |
| Immigrated 1996-2001 | 7% | 23% | 19% | 51% | 100% |
Note: Job characteristics presented in Tables D-17 to D-20 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
Figure D-6: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—25 to 64 years of age—percentage of employed university graduates with jobs requiring university education, by gender, Canada, 2001
Note: Job characteristics presented in Figures D-3 to D-6 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.
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