Immigration Boom Sparks Male Dominance in Canada's Population Shift

Canada is experiencing a notable change in its gender ratio as a surge in immigration leads to a significant increase in the male population, reducing the gap with females to its narrowest level in decades. Over the past year, the number of adult men has grown by 3.4%, outpacing the 2.9% rise in women, marking the most substantial difference between the two groups in almost 50 years of recorded data. Chief economist Doug Porter from Bank of Montreal conducted an analysis that revealed these shifting demographic trends. In particular, within the 25-to-44 age group, there has been a noticeable disparity with men showing a 4.8% increase compared to women's 3.9% rise. As of January, there are 141,000 more men than women in this age bracket, contrasting with a historical average of zero difference. Porter noted a consistent trend over the past decade where the male population growth rate has consistently outpaced that of females within this age group, suggesting a more permanent shift. This transformation is attributed to Canada's progressive immigration policy aimed at bolstering the workforce and combating long-term economic decline resulting from an aging population. The country's population growth surged to 3.2% over one year, surpassing other G7 nations like China and India primarily due to increased international migration, particularly among foreign students and temporary workers. While Canada had previously seen a female-skewed population from the late 1970s to early 2010s, recent years have witnessed a reversal as male growth overtakes that of females. This shift underscores broader global trends where advanced economies with older populations tend to have more women due to longer life expectancies. However, countries with younger demographics lean towards males, accentuated by government policies and migrant worker populations. Labor economist Armine Yalnizyan emphasized that while addressing immediate labor shortages is crucial, it is essential not to overlook social implications in forming families and supporting human needs beyond economic considerations for long-term sustainability and societal well-being.