Canada granted permanent residence (PR) to nearly 24,000 fewer people during the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Official data published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada shows that total PRs granted fell from 246,580 between January and July 2025 to 222,625 over the same months in 2026.
That represents a decline of 23,955 PRs and a 9.7% year-over-year reduction in the number of people granted permanent resident status.
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of 380,000 permanent residents for 2026.
However, that target does not include 2 one-time permanent residence initiatives being implemented in 2026 and 2027.
IRCC separately reports 188,800 PRs under the Immigration Levels Plan through July, while another 33,900 people received PR through two one-time initiatives operating outside the plan.
Together, those separately rounded figures broadly reconcile with the 222,625 PRs recorded in IRCC’s country-of-citizenship dataset.
IRCC explicitly notes that independently rounded figures may not sum exactly. A country-by-country breakdown of the data reveals a sharply uneven picture.
Some countries of citizenship saw dramatic increases in the number of their nationals granted Canadian permanent residence, even as the national total contracted.
Others experienced steep declines, with a single country of citizenship accounting for nearly two-thirds of Canada’s entire year-over-year reduction.
Importantly, these figures do not represent the number of people arriving in Canada from each country. IRCC’s data counts people granted permanent resident status in Canada by country of citizenship.
Many may already have been living in Canada as temporary residents before transitioning to permanent residence.
Table of Contents
Top Countries Of Citizenship For Increase In PRs Granted In 2026
The following table ranks the top 21 countries of citizenship by the number of additional people granted permanent resident status in Canada in the January-to-July period of 2026 compared with the same months in 2025.
Jordan and the Palestinian Authority (Gaza/West Bank) are tied at +90 PRs and are both included rather than arbitrarily excluding one side of a tie.
Throughout this analysis, “country” refers to the country of citizenship recorded by IRCC, not necessarily a person’s country of birth or previous residence.
| Rank | Country of Citizenship | Jan–Jul 2025 | Jan–Jul 2026 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey | 1,050 | 2,995 | +1,945 | +185.2% |
| 2 | Iran | 4,175 | 5,495 | +1,320 | +31.6% |
| 3 | Nigeria | 10,450 | 11,565 | +1,115 | +10.7% |
| 4 | Sudan | 2,565 | 3,640 | +1,075 | +41.9% |
| 5 | Syria | 2,195 | 3,260 | +1,065 | +48.5% |
| 6 | Mexico | 3,265 | 4,140 | +875 | +26.8% |
| 7 | Uganda | 395 | 1,100 | +705 | +178.5% |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 2,025 | 2,500 | +475 | +23.5% |
| 9 | Iraq | 620 | 1,080 | +460 | +74.2% |
| 10 | Ghana | 1,115 | 1,565 | +450 | +40.4% |
| 11 | Nepal | 1,290 | 1,695 | +405 | +31.4% |
| 12 | Bangladesh | 2,080 | 2,480 | +400 | +19.2% |
| 13 | Kenya | 670 | 1,010 | +340 | +50.7% |
| 14 | Burundi | 600 | 900 | +300 | +50.0% |
| 15 | Rwanda | 595 | 795 | +200 | +33.6% |
| 16 | Yemen | 260 | 460 | +200 | +76.9% |
| 17 | Peru | 635 | 795 | +160 | +25.2% |
| 18 | Zimbabwe | 370 | 505 | +135 | +36.5% |
| 19 | Tanzania | 155 | 250 | +95 | +61.3% |
| 20 | Jordan | 580 | 670 | +90 | +15.5% |
| 20 | Palestinian Authority (Gaza/West Bank) | 200 | 290 | +90 | +45.0% |
What The Increase Numbers Reveal
Turkey recorded the single largest absolute increase among all countries of citizenship, rising from 1,050 PRs during January–July 2025 to 2,995 during January–July 2026.
That 185.2% surge moved Turkey from approximately 37th among all countries of citizenship for PRs granted during January–July 2025 to 19th during January–July 2026.
Uganda posted a similarly dramatic percentage gain of 178.5%, climbing from roughly 63rd during January–July 2025 to 36th during January–July 2026 after PRs granted to Ugandan citizens rose from 395 to 1,100.
Iran moved from approximately 15th to 6th among all countries of citizenship between the two periods after IRCC recorded 5,495 Iranian-citizen PRs, up 31.6% from 4,175.
Nigeria stands out for a different reason.
It was already Canada’s fifth-largest country of citizenship for PRs during January–July 2025 and still grew by another 10.7%, rising from 10,450 to 11,565 PRs.
Nigeria has now moved into fourth place among all countries of citizenship for Canadian PRs, climbing even as overall PRs fell nearly 10% over the same period.
Sudan, Syria, and Iraq all posted gains exceeding 40%.
However, the country-of-citizenship dataset does not identify the immigration category behind each permanent resident, so these increases cannot be attributed to a particular economic, family, refugee, or humanitarian pathway from this dataset alone.
Mexico rose 26.8% to 4,140 PRs, moving from 18th to 12th among countries of citizenship between the two January–July periods.
Several East African nations posted notable gains, with Kenya up 50.7%, Burundi up 50.0%, and Rwanda up 33.6%.
Top Countries Of Citizenship For Decline In PRs Granted In 2026
The following table ranks the top 20 countries of citizenship by the reduction in PRs granted between January and July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
| Rank | Country of Citizenship | Jan–Jul 2025 | Jan–Jul 2026 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 68,690 | 53,285 | -15,405 | -22.4% |
| 2 | France | 7,385 | 4,295 | -3,090 | -41.8% |
| 3 | Eritrea | 6,195 | 3,910 | -2,285 | -36.9% |
| 4 | Cameroon | 12,565 | 10,875 | -1,690 | -13.5% |
| 5 | China | 13,490 | 11,870 | -1,620 | -12.0% |
| 6 | Morocco | 4,285 | 3,145 | -1,140 | -26.6% |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 4,430 | 3,335 | -1,095 | -24.7% |
| 8 | Tunisia | 3,380 | 2,305 | -1,075 | -31.8% |
| 9 | DR Congo | 2,605 | 1,715 | -890 | -34.2% |
| 10 | Somalia | 2,510 | 1,730 | -780 | -31.1% |
| 11 | Haiti | 3,080 | 2,390 | -690 | -22.4% |
| 12 | Algeria | 4,735 | 4,165 | -570 | -12.0% |
| 13 | South Korea | 1,680 | 1,195 | -485 | -28.9% |
| 14 | Brazil | 3,375 | 2,965 | -410 | -12.1% |
| 15 | Ethiopia | 2,515 | 2,120 | -395 | -15.7% |
| 16 | United States | 4,550 | 4,160 | -390 | -8.6% |
| 17 | Mauritius | 1,120 | 775 | -345 | -30.8% |
| 18 | Philippines | 16,325 | 16,005 | -320 | -2.0% |
| 19 | Ivory Coast | 1,870 | 1,555 | -315 | -16.8% |
| 20 | Lebanon | 1,370 | 1,135 | -235 | -17.2% |
India Accounts For Nearly Two-Thirds Of Canada’s Entire PR Decline
India’s decline dominates the data. PRs granted to Indian citizens fell from 68,690 during January–July 2025 to 53,285 during the same period in 2026, a reduction of 15,405.
That single-country decline is equivalent to approximately 64.3% of Canada’s entire 23,955 year-over-year reduction in total PRs.
India remains Canada’s largest country of citizenship for PRs by a wide margin, but its share of total PRs fell from approximately 27.9% during January–July 2025 to 23.9% during the same period in 2026.
The citizenship dataset does not identify which immigration programs drove the decline.
Other Notable Declines
Among countries of citizenship recording at least 5,000 PRs during January–July 2025, France posted the steepest percentage decline, falling 41.8% from 7,385 to 4,295.
That is a striking result for a country of citizenship whose nationals might be expected to benefit from Canada’s French-language category-based Express Entry draws, which prioritize candidates with strong French proficiency across all nationalities.
Eritrea experienced a 36.9% reduction, with PRs dropping from 6,195 to 3,910.
North African countries of citizenship also saw significant declines, with Tunisia falling 31.8%, Morocco dropping 26.6%, and Algeria contracting 12.0%.
China fell 12.0% from 13,490 to 11,870.
The Philippines remained Canada’s second-largest country of citizenship for PRs during both January–July periods, despite PRs declining 2.0% from 16,325 to 16,005.
Several Sub-Saharan African countries also appeared among the largest declines, including DR Congo, down 34.2%, and Somalia, down 31.1%.
Haiti, in the Caribbean, recorded a 22.4% decline. The United States saw a modest decline of 8.6%, from 4,550 to 4,160 PRs.
Some Countries Of Citizenship Lost Volume But Gained A Larger Share Of Canadian PRs
The overall contraction in Canadian PRs creates a secondary analytical layer that goes beyond raw numbers.
Because total PRs fell 9.7%, some countries of citizenship that experienced small volume declines still saw their proportional share of all PRs granted in Canada increase.
The Philippines is the clearest example. Its PRs declined only 2.0%, from 16,325 to 16,005, but because the overall pool contracted much faster, the Philippines’ share of all Canadian PRs rose from approximately 6.6% to 7.2%.
Pakistan followed a similar pattern, with PRs dropping slightly from approximately 5,635 to 5,490, while its relative share of total PRs granted edged higher.
For prospective immigrants and immigration consultants tracking national-level trends, this distinction matters.
A country of citizenship can record fewer PR grants in absolute terms while still representing a larger share of Canada’s overall PR intake.
Canada granted permanent resident status to 471,808 people in 2023 and 483,640 in 2024, before the total fell to approximately 393,500 in 2025
The current Levels Plan targets 380,000 PRs in 2026, but IRCC’s two one-time permanent residence initiatives operate in addition to that target.
The reduction is not evenly distributed.
Turkish-citizen, Iranian-citizen, Nigerian-citizen, Sudanese-citizen, Syrian-citizen, Ugandan-citizen, and Mexican-citizen PRs all rose significantly during January–July 2026.
Meanwhile, Indian-citizen PRs declined by 15,405, a figure equivalent to nearly two-thirds of Canada’s overall year-over-year reduction.
French-citizen, Eritrean-citizen, and several North African citizenships also contracted substantially.
The citizenship data confirms that the composition of Canada’s PR intake is shifting, but it does not by itself identify which immigration programs are driving individual country-level changes.
IRCC separately publishes permanent residents by country of citizenship and immigration category, which can be used for a program-level analysis of these shifts.
These country-level trends describe PR outcomes; they do not represent country-specific PR quotas or, by themselves, change an applicant’s eligibility under Express Entry, provincial nomination, family sponsorship, or other immigration programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Canada grant more permanent residence to Turkish citizens in 2026?
Turkish-citizen PRs rose from 1,050 during January–July 2025 to 2,995 during the same period in 2026, an increase of 185.2% that moved Turkey from approximately 37th to 19th among all countries of citizenship. Turkey has been one of the fastest-growing countries for Canadian refugee resettlement in recent years, and Canada also expanded its economic immigration pathways through the Provincial Nominee Program and category-based Express Entry draws during this period.
How much of Canada’s 2026 PRs decline came from fewer Indian-citizen permanent residents?
Indian-citizen PRs fell by 15,405 between January and July 2026, dropping from 68,690 to 53,285. Canada’s total PRs declined by 23,955 over the same period. That means the reduction in Indian-citizen PRs alone accounts for approximately 64.3% of the entire national year-over-year decline. India’s share of total Canadian PRs also narrowed, falling from approximately 27.9% during January–July 2025 to 23.9% during the same months in 2026. India nevertheless remains Canada’s largest country of citizenship for new permanent residents by a wide margin, with more than three times the PRs of the next-largest country.
Which countries recorded fewer PRs in 2026 but still gained a larger share of Canada’s overall intake?
The Philippines is the clearest example. Its PRs declined only 2.0%, from 16,325 to 16,005, but because Canada’s total intake fell 9.7%, the Philippines’ share of all PRs rose from approximately 6.6% to 7.2%. Pakistan followed a similar pattern, with PRs dropping slightly from approximately 5,635 to 5,490 while its proportional share of the national total edged higher. This happens whenever a country’s PRs decline at a slower rate than the national average, meaning its relative weight within Canada’s immigration composition actually grows even though its raw numbers fell.
Does IRCC’s permanent resident data show how many people physically moved to Canada from each country?
No, IRCC’s dataset records people who were granted permanent resident status in Canada, organized by their country of citizenship. It does not track where a person was physically living before receiving PR. Many new permanent residents were already in Canada on study permits, work permits, or other temporary status before transitioning to permanent residence. The figures are also rounded, not exact. IRCC suppresses values between 0 and 5 and rounds all other figures to the nearest five, and it rounds monthly, quarterly, and cumulative totals independently, so individual country numbers may not add precisely to published national totals.
Why did French-citizen PRs fall 41.8% when Canada prioritizes French-speaking immigration?
French-citizen PRs dropped from 7,385 to 4,295 between January and July 2026, the steepest percentage decline among any country of citizenship that recorded at least 5,000 PRs during the 2025 comparison period. The explanation lies in how Canada’s French-language priority works. Category-based Express Entry draws for French proficiency select candidates based on language test scores, not passport. A Cameroonian, Tunisian, Haitian, or Congolese applicant with strong French scores is equally eligible. As a result, France competes with dozens of Francophone nations for the same French-language Express Entry invitations.
Fact-Checked: All PR figures cited in this article were verified against the official IRCC Permanent Residents – Monthly Updates dataset published on the Government of Canada open data portal, accessed in October 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Readers considering a permanent residence application should consult a qualified Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or immigration lawyer, or review the official IRCC program pages for the most current eligibility requirements.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: 10 New Ontario Laws and Rules In October 2026
10 New Canada Laws And Rules Taking Effect In October 2026
New Advanced Canada Workers Benefit Payment On October 9
4 New CRA Benefit Payments For Ontario Residents In October 2026