On this page:
Participation rate
Unemployment rate

Participation rate:
Click on graph to enlarge

In January 2013, the participation rate of all immigrants across Canada was 83.5% compared to 88.0% for Canadian-born. At 75.8%, recent immigrants (immigrants who gained permanent residency within the last 5 years) had much lower participation rates than Canadian-born and all immigrants.  The greater monthly variability in the participation rates of recent immigrants is likely attributable to a smaller sample size.

Unemployment rate:
Click on graph to enlarge

In January 2013 across Canada, the unemployment rate of Canadian-born was 5.4%, compared to 7.3% for all immigrants and 12.1% for recent immigrants.

Since 2006, the Canadian-born have had consistently lower unemployment rates than immigrants. Recent immigrants have the highest unemployment rate among all groups: their unemployment rate has rarely fallen below 10% since March 2006.

Comparing unemployment rates in January 2012 and 2013, for Canadian-born, by January 2013, unemployment had fallen by 0.2 percentage points, from 5.6% in January 2012. For all immigrants, by January 2013, unemployment had fallen by 0.9 percentage points, from 8.2% in January 2012.  For recent immigrants, unemployment had fallen by 0.5 percentage points, from 12.6% in January 2012.  

For definitions, please consult our Glossary.