Recent Immigrants in Metropolitan Areas: Regina—A Comparative Profile Based on the 2001 Census

Part B: Who Are the Recent Immigrants?

Origin, immigration Category and religion

Asian origins are prevalent among recent immigrants

Regina’s immigrants come from all over the world and represent a diversity of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Over the past several decades there has been a considerable change in the source countries of immigrants. In 2001, for example, there were 1,800 residents of Regina who had very recently landed in Canada, between 1996 and 2001. The most common country of birth for these immigrants was China, accounting for 12% of these new residents, followed by the Philippines supplying 10%.

Table B-1: Immigrants by period of immigration—top ten countries of birth, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
  Share
All immigrants
1 United Kingdom 1,900 14%
2 United States 1,150 8%
3 Germany 820 6%
4 Viet Nam 750 5%
5 China, People's Republic of 750 5%
6 Philippines 710 5%
7 Former Yugoslavia 670 5%
8 Poland 640 5%
9 India 520 4%
10 Italy 450 3%
Top ten countries 8,360 60%
All other countries 5,660 40%
Total 14,020 100%
Immigrated before 1986
1 United Kingdom 1,710 19%
2 United States 750 8%
3 Germany 740 8%
4 Poland 470 5%
5 Italy 420 5%
6 Netherlands 340 4%
7 China, People's Republic of 340 4%
8 Viet Nam 310 3%
9 Former Yugoslavia 300 3%
10 Former U.S.S.R. 290 3%
Top ten countries 5,670 63%
All other countries 3,400 37%
Total 9,070 100%
Immigrated 1986-1995
1 Viet Nam 340 11%
2 Philippines 270 8%
3 United States 220 7%
4 China, People's Republic of 200 6%
5 El Salvador 170 5%
6 Poland 170 5%
7 India 140 4%
8 United Kingdom 100 3%
9 Pakistan 100 3%
10 Hong Kong 90 3%
Top ten countries 1,800 56%
All other countries 1,360 44%
Total 3,160 100%
Immigrated 1996-2001
1 China, People's Republic of 220 12%
2 Philippines 180 10%
3 United States 170 9%
4 India 120 7%
5 Viet Nam 110 6%
6 United Kingdom 90 5%
7 Iraq 80 4%
8 Bosnia and Herzegovina 80 4%
9 Yugoslavia 70 4%
10 South Africa, Republic of 70 4%
Top ten countries 1,190 67%
All other countries 600 33%
Total 1,790 100%

The top ten countries of birth—China, Philippines, United States, India, Viet Nam, United Kingdom, Iraq, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia and South Africa—account for two-thirds of Regina’s very recent immigrant cohort and represent four different continents.

Among Regina’s earlier immigrant cohort—those immigrating to Canada before 1986—the United Kingdom and the United States were the top two countries of birth, accounting for 27% of this group.

In general, the birth origins of Regina’s immigrant population vary in relation to the period of immigration. European birth origins are predominant among those who immigrated in the 1950s, the 1960s and to a lesser extent, the 1970s, and Asian birth origins are predominant among those who immigrated in the 1980s and 1990s.

Regina's share of recent immigrants varies by country of birth

Regina is home to the same share of Canada’s recent immigrants from El Salvador and Bosnia and Herzegovina as of the country’s Canadian-born population. Of the 29,700 El Salvador-born individuals who immigrated to Canada since 1986, 200 or 0.7% were living in Regina in 2001. Regina is also home to 0.7% of Canada’s 23,170 recent immigrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 0.6% of Canada’s recent immigrants from Viet Nam and South Africa, and 0.5% of Canada’s recent immigrants from the United States. On average, 0.2% of recent immigrants in Canada chose Regina as their place of residence, compared to 0.7% of the country’s Canadian-born.

Table B-2: Recent immigrants in Canada by country of birth and percentage residing in Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001
Country of Birth Total recent immigrants to Canada Share residing in Regina
All Canadian-born 23,991,910 0.7%
El Salvador 29,680 0.7%
Bosnia and Herzegovina 23,170 0.7%
Total population 29,639,000 0.6%
Viet Nam 72,330 0.6%
South Africa, Republic of 19,890 0.6%
United States 73,860 0.5%
Ethiopia 12,080 0.5%
Iraq 22,300 0.5%
Croatia 11,380 0.4%
Yugoslavia 35,860 0.4%
Germany 22,810 0.4%
Philippines 161,130 0.3%
United Kingdom 69,660 0.3%
All immigrants 5,448,490 0.3%
Romania 43,200 0.2%
Pakistan 64,020 0.2%
All recent immigrants 2,491,850 0.2%
Poland 91,140 0.2%
China 236,930 0.2%
Jamaica 48,760 0.2%
India 197,680 0.1%

Note: Table B-2 lists all countries that are the place of birth of at least 10,000 recent immigrants living in Canada in 2001 with Regina’s share being 0.1% or more.

Steady flow of skilled workers and government-assisted refugees

Statistics published by Citizenship and Immigration Canada show that the number of immigrants who reported Regina as their destination when they landed in Canada increased by 400 between the second half of the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s and decreased by 1,400 in the second half of the 1990s. Proportionately, the decline was concentrated in the family immigrant class. Forty-five percent of the 1996-2000 immigrant cohort destined for Regina entered as economic immigrants and one-third were refugees.

Table B-3: Recent immigrants by period of immigration—landings by immigration category, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 1986-2000 (number and percentage distribution)
  1986-1990 1991-1995 1996-2000
Family class 1,100 28% 1,200 28% 600 21%
Economic immigrants 1,300 33% 1,900 44% 1,300 45%
Refugees 1,500 38% 1,000 23% 1,000 34%
Other immigrants 30 1% 90 2% 0 0%
Total 3,900 100% 4,300 100% 2,900 100%

Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Facts and Figures, 2002 (data set).

Note: The 2001 Census did not ask immigrants about the immigration categories through which they were admitted to Canada. The information in Table B-3 was obtained from records at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and pertains to the time of landing. The immigration categories are described in the Glossary.

Between 1996 and 2000, the number of family class immigrants destined to Regina declined by fifty percent in comparison to the first half of the 1990s. Within the family class, the number of spouses decreased by one-quarter over the 1991-1995 and 1996-2000 five-year periods. The number of other relatives—parents and grandparents, sons and daughters, and fiancés—fell from 700 during the 1991-1995 period to 200 during the 1996-2000 period.

Over the 1986-2000 period, the number of privately-sponsored refugees declined. Only 60 privately-sponsored refugees were destined to Regina when they landed in the second half of the 1990s, one-sixth the number that entered in the second half of the 1980s. The number of government-assisted refugees remained relatively constant at about 900 per five-year period.

In each of the three five-year periods, about 100 skilled workers and their families entered Canada as economic immigrants destined to Regina. Nearly 500 as entrepreneurs and their dependants planned to settle in Regina when they landed in the first half of the 1990s. In the latter half of the decade, there were less than one hundred.

Religions changing with countries of origin

While the majority of very recent immigrants living in Regina are Christians, the shares affiliated with the Muslim faith have increased since the mid-1980s. Only 12% of earlier immigrants adhere to non-Christian religions compared to 24% of the very recent immigrant cohort. Almost all Canadian-born are affiliated with Christian denominations or report having no religion.

Table B-4: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—religious affiliation, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
  Canadian-born Immigrants Immigrated before 1986 Immigrated 1986-1995 Immigrated 1996-2001
Roman Catholic 54,070 4,250 2,980 860 420
Protestant 77,620 4,150 3,240 540 340
Orthodox Christian 2,460 810 400 310 140
Other Christian 6,080 560 300 140 140
Muslim 120 550 90 230 230
Buddhist 380 710 360 270 90
Hindu 210 400 330 40 40
Sikh 90 200 50 110 50
Other 2,220 170 170 40 30
No religion 31,870 2,190 1,200 670 330
Total 175,130 14,020 9,070 3,160 1,790
 
Roman Catholic 31% 30% 33% 27% 24%
Protestant 44% 30% 36% 17% 19%
Orthodox Christian 1% 6% 4% 10% 8%
Other Christian 3% 4% 3% 4% 8%
Muslim 0% 4% 1% 7% 13%
Buddhist 0% 5% 4% 9% 5%
Hindu 0% 3% 4% 1% 2%
Sikh 0% 1% 1% 3% 3%
Other 1% 1% 2% 1% 1%
No religion 18% 16% 13% 21% 18%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Note: Religions are listed in order of their share of the population of Canada, from highest to lowest, with Christian religions grouped together.

Catholics and Protestants are relatively more numerous among the Canadian-born and earlier immigrants than among recent immigrants in Regina. Nearly one-half of the Canadian-born are Protestant, with the United Church having the largest following among the major Protestant churches, accounting for 18% of the population group. Only 2% of recent immigrants are affiliated with the United Church.

Age and gender

Nearly one-half of recent immigrants are young adults

The age distribution of the very recent immigrant population (those arriving between 1996 and 2001) is markedly different from that of the Canadian-born population, with a larger proportion aged 25 to 44 years, and proportionally fewer adults aged 45 years and over. In 2001, one-half of very recent immigrants living in Regina were between the ages of 25 and 44, compared to 30% of the Canadian-born. Adults aged 45 to 64 years made up only 11% of the very recent immigrant cohort, compared to 21% of the Canadian-born. Children less than 15 years of age accounted for 21% of the very recent immigrant population and the Canadian-born.

Table B-5: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—age and gender, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
  Under 15 years 15 to 24 years 25 to 44 years 45 to 64 years 65 years and over Total
Women
Canadian-born 18,250 14,360 27,190 19,550 10,910 90,250
Immigrants 330 490 2,010 2,420 1,950 7,180
 Immigrated before 1986 0 90 800 1,940 1,820 4,660
 Immigrated 1986-1995 150 250 710 390 100 1,580
 Immigrated 1996-2001 190 150 490 100 30 950
Men
Canadian-born 19,340 14,220 25,380 18,080 7,880 84,890
Immigrants 300 590 1,890 2,510 1,550 6,840
 Immigrated before 1986 0 140 820 2,010 1,470 4,430
 Immigrated 1986-1995 100 330 700 400 60 1,590
 Immigrated 1996-2001 200 140 380 110 30 840
Total
Canadian-born 37,580 28,580 52,570 37,630 18,780 175,140
Immigrants 630 1,070 3,890 4,930 3,500 14,020
 Immigrated before 1986 0 220 1,620 3,950 3,280 9,070
 Immigrated 1986-1995 250 570 1,400 790 170 3,160
 Immigrated 1996-2001 380 290 870 200 60 1,790
 
Canadian-born 21% 16% 30% 21% 11% 100%
Immigrants 4% 8% 28% 35% 25% 100%
 Immigrated before 1986 0% 2% 18% 44% 36% 100%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 8% 18% 44% 25% 5% 100%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 21% 16% 49% 11% 3% 100%
Total population 20% 16% 30% 22% 12% 100%

These differences in age structure are to some degree a result of how we define immigrants and the Canadian-born. The immigrant population grows older like the Canadian-born population but does not renew itself in the same way, as children born in Canada to immigrants are not considered immigrants. Thus, there are no persons less than 15 years of age among immigrants who landed before 1986, and the older age groups are over-represented among these earlier immigrants. By the same token, the share of children among the Canadian-born is large as it includes children born in Canada to immigrant parents.

The age structure of very recent immigrants closely resembles age at landing. Immigrants tend to arrive in Canada during their prime working-age years. This was the case among immigrants who landed more than 30 years ago, and it is still the case today. It is therefore not surprising that a large share of very recent immigrants were in the 25 to 44 age group.

Many of the characteristics and circumstances described in this profile vary with age. Differences between immigrants or groups of immigrants and the Canadian-born often are at least in part a reflection of differences in the age structure.

Figure B-1: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born, by age, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (percentage distribution)
Figure B-1

More women than men among very recent immigrants

There are 100 more women than men among the 5,000 recent immigrants in Regina. The proportion of women in the recent immigrant population in Regina is the same as that of the Canadian-born population overall (52%) but for some countries of birth it is much higher. More than 57% of recent immigrants from China, Poland and the Philippines are women.

Table B-6: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—percentage of women, by age, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001
  Under 15 years 15 to 24 years 25 to 44 years 45 to 64 years 65 years and over Total
Canadian-born 49% 50% 52% 52% 58% 52%
Immigrants 52% 45% 52% 49% 56% 51%
 Immigrated before 1986 - 40% 49% 49% 55% 51%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 59% 43% 50% 49% 61% 50%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 49% 53% 56% 49% 50% 53%

The number of women is particularly high among recent immigrants from the Philippines (80 more women than men out of 450 recent immigrants) and the United States (60 more women than men out of 390 recent immigrants). At the opposite end of the spectrum of gender mix are Romania, Iran and Pakistan. More than 60% of recent immigrants from these countries are men. Men outnumber women by 70 among recent immigrants from Romania. The gender balance, by country of origin, has not changed greatly since 1996.

Language and education

Almost all very recent immigrants speak English or French

A large majority of Regina’s immigrants of 15 years of age and over report being able to carry on a conversation in at least one of Canada’s two official languages. Even among very recent immigrants, who landed in Canada from 1996 to 2001, almost all (96% of men and 93% of women) reported being able to speak an official language in May 2001. Only 5% of very recent immigrants 15 years of age and over could not speak either official language. Knowledge of official languages is also very high among those who immigrated in earlier periods—96% of those who landed between 1986 and 1995 and 98% of those who landed before 1986 indicated that they were able to carry on a conversation in English and/or French.

The proportion of Regina’s immigrants who report being able to carry on a conversation in English or French decreases with age. Almost all immigrants less than 45 years of age who landed in Canada between 1996 and 2001 are able to speak an official language. The proportion of very recent immigrants who reported being unable to carry on a conversation in either English or French increased for immigrants 45 years of age and over, and more so for women than men. Ability to converse in either or both official languages has improved with the very recent immigrant cohort—8% more men and 9% more women had this ability in 2001 compared to the cohort who landed in the five years prior to the 1996 Census. Both genders and all age groups reported higher rates.

Table B-7: Very recent immigrants (immigrated between 1996 and 2001)—15 years of age and over—knowledge of official languages, by age and gender, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage)
  English only French only English and French Neither English nor French Total
Women
15 to 24 years 150 - 10 - 160
25 to 44 years 460 - 10 20 490
45 to 64 years 70 - 10 20 100
65 years and over 10 - - 20 30
15 years and over 690 10 20 60 770
Men
15 to 24 years 140 - - - 140
25 to 44 years 350 10 20 10 390
45 to 64 years 100 - - - 100
65 years and over 20 - - 10 30
15 years and over 590 - 20 30 630
Total
15 to 24 years 280 - 10 - 290
25 to 44 years 800 10 40 20 870
45 to 64 years 170 - 10 30 200
65 years and over 30 - - 30 60
15 years and over 1,270 20 50 80 1,410
 
Women
15 to 24 years 94% 0% 6% 0% 100%
25 to 44 years 94% 0% 2% 4% 100%
45 to 64 years 70% 0% 10% 20% 100%
65 years and over 33% 0% 0% 67% 100%
15 years and over 90% 1% 3% 8% 100%
Men
15 to 24 years 100% 0% 0% 0% 100%
25 to 44 years 90% 3% 5% 3% 100%
45 to 64 years 100% 0% 0% 0% 100%
65 years and over 67% 0% 0% 0% 100%
15 years and over 94% 0% 3% 5% 100%
Total
15 to 24 years 97% 0% 3% 0% 100%
25 to 44 years 92% 1% 5% 2% 100%
45 to 64 years 85% 0% 0% 15% 100%
65 years and over 50% 0% 0% 50% 100%
15 years and over 90% 1% 4% 6% 100%

One-half of very recent immigrants speak a foreign language at home

For the majority of Regina’s very recent immigrants, the language spoken most often at home is one other than English or French. Fifty-three percent of immigrants who landed between 1996 and 2001 most often speak a foreign language in their homes.

Figure B-2: Immigrants by period of immigration, 15 years of age and over—use of a foreign language at home, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (percentage)
Figure B-2

The use of foreign languages is also high among other immigrant cohorts. Slightly over 40% of those who immigrated between 1986 and 1995 and almost 20% of those who immigrated prior to 1986 most often speak a foreign language at home. The use of a foreign language in the home among Regina’s very recent immigrants was not as high in 2001 as in 1996 when 60% of the very recent immigrant cohort who landed in the five-year period prior to the census reported use of a foreign language in the home.

Many university graduates among very recent immigrants

There are large differences in educational attainment between the Canadian-born and the various immigrant cohorts. University degrees are more common among all immigrant groups than among the Canadian-born. In particular, very recent immigrants boast a high proportion of university graduates. This high proportion of university graduates is most likely a result of immigrant selection policy, which places a large emphasis on education for immigrants in the economic category.

When education levels are compared by age group, the younger generation has a much higher level of education than older groups, whether born in or outside Canada. In almost all cases, the proportion of Regina’s immigrants 25 years of age and over without a high school diploma is similar to or lower than the Canadian-born of the same age and the proportion of immigrants with post-secondary qualifications is higher than the Canadian-born for persons 25 to 64 years of age.

Table B-8: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 years of age and over—highest level of education, by gender, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
  Less than grade 9 Some high school High school diploma College or trade diploma University degree Total
Women
Canadian-born 3,730 19,270 17,670 21,210 10,130 72,000
Immigrants 1,180 1,220 1,340 1,780 1,340 6,850
 Immigrated before 1986 960 850 810 1,240 820 4,650
 Immigrated 1986-1995 170 280 360 350 300 1,440
 Immigrated 1996-2001 60 100 180 210 230 770
Men
Canadian-born 3,690 18,860 15,690 17,220 10,100 65,550
Immigrants 680 1,040 1,270 1,830 1,720 6,540
 Immigrated before 1986 570 650 680 1,380 1,160 4,420
 Immigrated 1986-1995 100 270 430 360 340 1,480
 Immigrated 1996-2001 30 130 160 100 230 640
Total
Canadian-born 7,420 38,140 33,360 38,420 20,230 137,550
Immigrants 1,860 2,270 2,610 3,610 3,060 13,390
 Immigrated before 1986 1,520 1,500 1,490 2,610 1,980 9,070
 Immigrated 1986-1995 260 550 790 700 640 2,920
 Immigrated 1996-2001 90 230 340 300 450 1,410
 
Women
Canadian-born 5% 27% 25% 29% 14% 100%
Immigrants 17% 18% 19% 26% 19% 100%
 Immigrated before 1986 21% 18% 17% 27% 18% 100%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 11% 20% 25% 24% 21% 100%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 8% 13% 24% 27% 29% 100%
Men
Canadian-born 6% 29% 24% 26% 15% 100%
Immigrants 10% 16% 19% 28% 26% 100%
 Immigrated before 1986 13% 15% 15% 31% 26% 100%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 6% 18% 29% 24% 23% 100%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 5% 20% 25% 15% 35% 100%
Total
Canadian-born 5% 28% 24% 28% 15% 100%
Immigrants 14% 17% 19% 27% 23% 100%
 Immigrated before 1986 17% 16% 16% 29% 22% 100%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 9% 19% 27% 24% 22% 100%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 6% 16% 24% 21% 32% 100%
Table B-9: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—25 years of age and over, with no high school diploma or with post-secondary diploma or degree—by age and gender, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage)
  No high school diploma With post-secondary diploma or degree
  25 to 44
years
45 to 65
years
65 years
and over
25 to 44
years
45 to 65
years
65 years
and over
Women
Canadian-born 5,100 5,670 6,290 15,620 10,000 3,060
Immigrants 350 650 1,240 1,200 1,340 460
 Immigrated before 1986 120 510 1,180 510 1,090 440
 Immigrated 1986-2001 230 150 70 710 260 20
Men
Canadian-born 5,710 5,310 4,500 13,500 9,520 2,410
Immigrants 320 480 680 1,140 1,610 740
 Immigrated before 1986 180 350 630 470 1,330 700
 Immigrated 1986-2001 130 130 50 660 290 40
Total
Canadian-born 10,800 10,990 10,790 29,120 19,520 5,470
Immigrants 660 1,140 1,930 2,340 2,950 1,190
 Immigrated before 1986 280 860 1,820 970 2,410 1,140
 Immigrated 1986-2001 380 290 130 1,360 540 50
 
Women
Canadian-born 19% 29% 58% 57% 51% 28%
Immigrants 17% 27% 64% 60% 55% 24%
 Immigrated before 1986 15% 26% 65% 63% 56% 24%
 Immigrated 1986-2001 19% 32% 54% 59% 54% 15%
Men
Canadian-born 22% 29% 57% 53% 53% 31%
Immigrants 17% 19% 44% 60% 64% 47%
 Immigrated before 1986 22% 17% 43% 57% 66% 47%
 Immigrated 1986-2001 12% 25% 56% 62% 59% 39%
Total
Canadian-born 21% 29% 57% 55% 52% 29%
Immigrants 17% 23% 55% 60% 60% 34%
 Immigrated before 1986 17% 22% 55% 59% 61% 35%
 Immigrated 1986-2001 16% 29% 58% 60% 56% 23%

Sixty percent of recent immigrants aged 25-44 years—both men and women—have a post-secondary diploma or degree, compared to 53% of Canadian-born men and 57% of Canadian-born women in this age group. Only sixteen percent of Regina ’s recent immigrants less than 45 years of age do not have a high school diploma compared to about 20% of the city’s Canadian-born population in this age group.

Recent immigrants add to Regina’s pool of science professionals

Nearly 60% of men who immigrated after 1985 and have a post-secondary diploma or degree majored in physical sciences, engineering or trades, compared to one-half of Canadian-born men. Almost twenty percent of recent immigrant women with a post-secondary diploma or degree studied physical sciences, engineering or trades— more than twice the share of Canadian-born women in this field of study.

Table B-10: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 years of age and over, with post-secondary diploma or degree—major field of study, by gender, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
  Physical sciences, engineering and trades Social sciences, education and arts Commerce, management and business administration Health professions and related technologies Total
Women
Canadian-born 2,930 12,430 9,830 6,140 31,330
Immigrants 450 1,380 620 690 3,120
 Immigrated before 1986 90 280 130 150 640
 Immigrated 1986-1995 270 900 420 470 2,050
 Immigrated 1996-2001 100 200 80 60 430
Men
Canadian-born 13,980 7,420 4,740 1,180 27,310
Immigrants 1,990 890 330 340 3,550
 Immigrated before 1986 410 200 50 50 700
 Immigrated 1986-1995 1,390 650 260 250 2,550
 Immigrated 1996-2001 190 60 30 50 320
Total
Canadian-born 16,910 19,830 14,560 7,320 58,620
Immigrants 2,440 2,260 940 1,030 6,670
 Immigrated before 1986 500 470 170 200 1,330
 Immigrated 1986-1995 1,660 1,550 660 730 4,590
 Immigrated 1996-2001 280 260 110 110 750
 
Women
Canadian-born 9% 40% 31% 20% 100%
Immigrants 14% 44% 20% 22% 100%
 Immigrated before 1986 13% 44% 20% 23% 100%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 13% 44% 20% 23% 100%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 23% 45% 19% 13% 100%
Men
Canadian-born 51% 27% 17% 4% 100%
Immigrants 56% 25% 9% 10% 100%
 Immigrated before 1986 59% 28% 7% 6% 100%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 55% 26% 10% 10% 100%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 58% 19% 8% 16% 100%
Total
Canadian-born 29% 34% 25% 12% 100%
Immigrants 37% 34% 14% 15% 100%
 Immigrated before 1986 37% 35% 13% 15% 100%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 36% 34% 14% 16% 100%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 38% 34% 14% 14% 100%

Recent immigrants are also strongly represented in the social sciences, education and arts, with a one-third share of post-secondary graduates similar to that of the Canadian-born. Commerce, management and business administration is the choice for 30% of Canadian-born women compared to 20% of recent immigrant women. The share of health professionals among recent immigrants is similar to that of the Canadian-born.

Recent immigrants more likely to attend school

Very recent immigrants are relatively likely to be in school. School attendance is at least twice as high among very recent immigrants as among the Canadian-born, in both the 25-44 years and 45-64 years age groups.

Table B-11: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age, attending school—by age and gender, Regina Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage)
  15 to 24
years
25 to 44
years
45 to 64
years
15 to 24
years
25 to 44
years
45 to 64
years
Women
Canadian-born 8,770 3,660 810 61% 13% 4%
Immigrants 310 380 120 64% 19% 5%
 Immigrated before 1986 50 130 70 56% 16% 4%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 190 90 40 78% 13% 10%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 70 170 20 47% 35% 22%
Men
Canadian-born 8,400 2,700 520 59% 11% 3%
Immigrants 400 260 90 68% 14% 4%
 Immigrated before 1986 90 40 30 63% 4% 1%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 220 110 30 66% 15% 8%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 90 120 20 65% 31% 15%
Total
Canadian-born 17,160 6,350 1,320 60% 12% 3%
Immigrants 710 640 200 66% 16% 4%
 Immigrated before 1986 140 170 110 61% 10% 3%
 Immigrated 1986-1995 410 200 70 71% 14% 9%
 Immigrated 1996-2001 150 280 30 54% 32% 13%

School attendance, of course, is much higher in the youngest age group—persons 15 to 24 years of age—than in the older age groups. School attendance among recent immigrants is higher than among their Canadian-born counterparts. By and large, school attendance rates were similar for all immigrant cohorts to those reported in the 1996 Census.

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