In a significant step, Canada unveiled the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which, for the first time, contains regulated objectives for both permanent and temporary residents, particularly foreign workers and students. Canada’s population has increased recently, and as of April 2024, it stands at 41 million.
Nearly 98% of this growth in 2023 was due to immigration, with temporary residents accounting for 60% of this growth. From 500,000 permanent inhabitants in 2025 to 395,000 in 2026, then 380,000 in 2026, and finally to 365,000 in 2027, Canada is gradually lowering its goals.
By the end of 2026, the Levels Plan also backs initiatives to lower the number of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s total population. Canada’s temporary population will decline over the next years as a result of the temporary resident reduction measures announced in September. This is because a greater number of temporary residents will either leave Canada or convert to permanent residency than will arrive.
In particular, Canada will have a brief population fall of 445,901 in 2025 and 445,662 in 2026 relative to each of the preceding years, followed by a slight gain of 17,439 in 2027. Since they are not included in yearly population estimates, seasonal workers and short-term tourists are not included in the levels plan’s objectives for temporary residents. The number of net new temporary residents who enter Canada annually is the target.
In 2025, 2026, and 2027, the number of additional temporary residents is expected to reach 673,650, 516,600, and 543,600, respectively. These numbers reflect the number of work and study permits granted to recent immigrants to Canada. The goal for international students in 2025 equals 45% of all new temporary resident admissions and mirrors the previously declared study permit ceiling (new entrants only).
The bulk of temporary resident arrivals in 2026 and 2027—59% and 56%, respectively—will be foreign students, with temporary workers accounting for the remaining entries. It is projected that students or workers who are currently in Canada will account for almost 40% of all admissions as permanent residents in 2025.
In order to reduce numbers and improve the integrity and calibre of our temporary resident programs, a number of adjustments have been made over the last year, including a cap on international students and stricter eligibility rules for temporary foreign workers. These reductions are the outcome of those measures.
According to the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the population is predicted to expand by 0.8% in 2027 after experiencing a marginal 0.2% population loss in 2025 and 2026. These projections take into consideration the lowered objectives announced today for several immigration streams over the next two years, as well as anticipated outflows of temporary residents due to the 5% target, natural population decline, and other variables.
Canada’s population has increased recently, and as of April 2024, it stands at 41 million. Nearly 98% of this growth in 2023 was due to immigration, with temporary residents accounting for 60% of this growth.
The government has a strategy to convert more temporary residents who are currently employed or enrolled in school in Canada to permanent residents. These residents are educated, talented, and well-integrated into Canadian culture; they will account for almost 40% of all admissions of permanent residents in 2025. Since they already have homes and jobs, they will continue to support the economy and labour without adding to the burden on our social services.
