"Canada's recent census data reveals a promising future for the country's workforce. According to Statistics Canada, over 64% of immigrants between 2016 and 2021 fall into the age range of 25 to 54, which is considered the core working age. This is significant because as the working-age population in Canada ages, with over 20% of people between 55 and 64 nearing retirement, the country needs to find ways to sustain and grow its workforce.
Immigration can play a crucial role in addressing this issue. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), used to score applicants in the Express Entry immigration system, assigns more points to applicants between the ages of 20 and 29. This highlights the value that Canada places on the age of skilled workers coming to the country.
Additionally, Canada's fertility rate is below the population replacement level, which is causing concern for the future of the natural workforce. The fertility rate has steadily declined over time, reaching a record low of 1.4 children per woman in 2020. This trend, along with the aging population, puts added pressure on the labor market and public healthcare and pension systems.
Immigration can help to alleviate these pressures and provide a much-needed boost to Canada's workforce. With more and more immigrants falling into the core working age range, Canada has a valuable opportunity to sustain and grow its workforce and secure a promising future for the country."