Canada continues to be a top destination for immigrants seeking citizenship, with 2024 showing a significant increase in new Canadian citizens compared to previous years. Among the leading contributors are countries like India, the Philippines, and China, which consistently rank as top sources of new Canadians.
As of July 2024, Canada had welcomed 243,339 new citizens, reflecting a substantial growth in naturalization numbers. By comparison, 2023 saw a total of 379,925 new citizens, and 2022 recorded 375,668. If the current pace continues, 2024 is poised to surpass last year’s totals, marking another record-breaking year.
India: Leading the Charge in 2024
India continues to be the largest source of new Canadian citizens. By July 2024, 56,175 new citizens from India had been registered, already approaching the full-year total of 78,580 in 2023. This marks 23% of all new Canadian citizens from India, compared to 20% in 2023 and 15.8% in 2022.
Month-by-month figures reveal consistent growth from India:
- January 2024: 8,348 new citizens
- February 2024: 8,663 new citizens
- March 2024: 8,117 new citizens
- April 2024: 7,725 new citizens
- May 2024: 6,923 new citizens
- June 2024: 8,057 new citizens
- July 2024: 8,342 new citizens
This steady pipeline of new citizens from India is driven by Canada’s favorable immigration policies and strong demand for skilled workers from the subcontinent.
Top 10 Source Countries for Canadian Citizenship in 2024
As of July, the top 10 source countries for new Canadian citizens are as follows:
| Rank | Country | 2024 (Jan-Jul) | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 56,175 | 78,580 | 59,467 |
| 2 | Philippines | 24,136 | 36,832 | 41,536 |
| 3 | China | 9,086 | 12,638 | 10,812 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 8,418 | 14,299 | 14,241 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 7,695 | 13,375 | 10,349 |
| 6 | Iran | 6,778 | 10,751 | 10,008 |
| 7 | United States | 6,315 | 8,627 | 7,869 |
| 8 | United Kingdom | 5,910 | 8,015 | 7,131 |
| 9 | Syria | 5,426 | 7,845 | 7,042 |
| 10 | Iraq | 4,951 | 7,135 | 6,642 |
The Philippines: Steady Growth Despite Fluctuations
By July 2024, 24,136 citizens from the Philippines had obtained Canadian citizenship. While the numbers are lower than India’s, the Philippines remains a key contributor. Fluctuations in month-to-month data indicate a steady but variable trend, with July seeing a resurgence:
- July 2024: 3,808 new citizens (up from May’s 2,920)
China: Steady Contribution to Canadian Citizenship
China, while lower in total numbers than India and the Philippines, continues to see a growing contribution. By July 2024, 9,086 citizens from China had been added, showing a steady month-to-month increase.
Year-to-Year Growth: 2024 vs. Previous Years
The overall trend in 2024 shows a consistent rise in new Canadian citizens when compared to the same period in previous years:
- 2021: 137,174 new citizens
- 2022: 375,668 new citizens
- 2023: 379,925 new citizens
- 2024 (Jan-Jul): 243,339 new citizens
The monthly data for 2024 reveals higher figures compared to 2023. For instance, July 2024 saw 36,070 new citizens compared to 31,428 in July 2023.
Factors Driving the Surge
Several factors contribute to the growing number of Canadian citizens, including Canada’s pro-immigration policies, improved processing times, and high demand from skilled workers, particularly from emerging economies like India and China. Canada’s multicultural society and strong economic opportunities continue to make it a top destination for immigrants.
With 243,339 new citizens already welcomed by July, 2024 is set to be another record-breaking year for new Canadian citizenship.