Canada and Australia have taken different paths when it comes to immigration targets
While the number of people moving to Australia in the past few years has continuously been on the downside, an opposite trend has been witnessed in Canada. Taking into account the statistical information of both Australia’s and Canada’s workforce, it’s with no doubt the immigration department plays a crucial role in the economic health of the two countries.
To have a clear picture of how immigration contributes to not only the country’s population but also the workforce and economic development, let’s take a look at the impact of international students on the monetary soundness of both countries.
The international students contribute $22 billion every year to the Canadian government, thereby supporting 170,000 jobs. On the side of the world, international students channel in $39billion to the economy of Australia every year and support 240,000 jobs.
Considering that the Canadian population is made up of 22 percent of immigrants while that of Australia is made up of 30 percent immigrants; it’s safe to conclude that the economies of both countries have so far benefited from immigrants. Having said that, the past few years have seen the two countries take different immigration plans, a curve which has extrapolated past the coronavirus pandemic.
While Canada Has Continually Increased Its Immigration Target, Australia Has Taken a Downward Trajectory
For over three decades now, Canada has gradually increased its immigration target as a move to support the ever-growing economy. Australia had also begun to take more immigrants from the late 90s, but the country has cut down its target in the last few years.
Before 2016, Canada was targeting 260,000 immigrants per year, a quota that was raised to 300, 000, and later to 340,000. The Canadian government is expecting to receive 58 percent of immigrants under the economic class, another 27 percent under the family class, and a 15 percent refugee and other humanitarian categories.
While Canada is expending a higher volume in its immigration department, Australia is slashing its figure from 190,000 to 160,000 immigrants annually until 2023.
