Immigrants’ contribution to the science and technology sector

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Canada’s science and technology sector employs nearly 1.5 million individuals, and there will be a significant need for additional workers in the future to maintain access to essential technical skills. Over 320,000 workers in the science and technology sector are over the age of 55, and most of them will be retiring within the next 10 years.

With an aging Canadian work force and the need for more technology workers, there’s an opportunity for immigrants to make their mark in the field.

Impact of immigration

• Of those working in scientific research and development services throughout Canada, 37% are foreign-born.
• Nearly 1.4 million immigrants working in Canada are trained in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
• Immigrants represent 26% of the national workforce but account for 35% of computer programmers, 43% of engineers and 57% of all chemists.
• International students represent 18% of students in the country’s post-secondary education system but account for 37% of all students enrolled in mathematics, computer and information sciences programs and 26% of all students in architecture, engineering and related programs.
• Many international students enrolled in STEM fields will stay and build their careers in Canada, enhancing our capacity for innovation and helping us build a stronger economy for the future.

Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census.

Text version: Percentage of immigrants in STEM occupations

• Computer programmers: 35%
• Physicists and astronomers: 42%
• Engineers: 43%
• Software engineers and designers: 55%
• Chemists: 57%

Some notable Canadian immigrants