B. Selected characteristics of newcomers to Canada among different admission classes, Canada, 2001

Selected characteristics of immigrants
Family class
immigrants
Economic-class immigrants
Refugees
Principal applicant
Spouse and dependants
 
Number
Total number of immigrants1
44,100
61,600
47,900
9,800
 
%
Men
37.5
77.0
25.3
49.1
Women
62.5
23.0
74.7
50.9
Age group
15 to 24 years
27.0
1.4
22.0
32.7
25 to 44 years
36.1
86.7
70.7
54.0
45 to 64 years
25.8
11.8
7.2
12.6
65 years and older
11.1
F
F
F
Official language skills
Knowledge of at least one official language
64.7
95.8
83.4
65.4
Knowledge of neither English nor French
35.3
4.2
16.6
34.6
Highest level of education
No formal education or less than high school
29.8
0.7E
12.9
37.8
High school graduation
21.1
2.8
11.6
28.3
Some postsecondary, trade or college education
21.9
12.0
24.3
22.2
University degree
27.2
84.3
51.1
11.5
Region of birth
United States
2.0
0.8E
0.6E
F
Central and South America, Caribbean
10.6
4.4
4.2
6.8
Europe
10.7
17.5
16.7
17.2
Africa
6.2
10.2
7.5
23.6
Asia and Middle East
69.1
66.8
70.5
52.0
Oceania and other regions
1.3
0.3E
0.5E
F
Selected characteristics of immigrants
Family class
immigrants
Economic-class immigrants
Refugees
Principal applicant
Spouse and dependants
 
%
Kin and friendship networks in Canada
Had friends and/or relatives in Canada
96.1
86.2
81.7
75.4
Did not have relatives or friends in Canada
3.9
13.8
18.3
24.6
Immigrants who tried to:
Find suitable housing
41.3
90.3
89.6
81.6
Access health care
77.4
71.3
75.1
80.8
Pursue further training
52.7
68.9
73.3
79.1
Find employment
61.5
88.2
62.7
47.6
Ease of accessing services
Difficulties accessing education and training
34.9
42.3
41.4
30.5
Difficulties entering the labour market
56.6
75.5
74.7
67.5
Difficulties accessing health services
15.2
26.9
27.8
19.6
Difficulties finding suitable housing
15.2
42.0
41.8
37.9
Other selected characteristics
Immigrants living in rental housing
55.6
78.7
80.5
91.6
Immigrants with foreign credentials2
52.7
97.4
77.1
39.8
Labour force participation rate3
59.3
89.6
59.7
43.7
Employment rate4
39.4
58.7
34.0
21.3
Standard symbols
1. All immigrants excluding the immigrant category "Other immigrants from abroad".
2. Includes any formal education higher than a high school diploma, such as professional or technical qualifications and any other degrees, diplomas or certificates received from outside Canada.
3. Refers to the number of immigrants in the labour force (employed or unemployed) in the reference period, expressed as a percentage of the total immigrant population aged 15 and older included in the LSIC. The participation rate for a particular group (age, sex, admission class, etc.) is the labour force in that group, expressed as a percentage of the total population
15 years of age and over, in that group.
4. Refers to the number of immigrants employed in the reference period, expressed as a percentage of the total immigrant population aged 15 and older. The employment rate for a particular group (age, sex, admission class, etc.) is the number employed in that group, expressed as a percentage of the population 15 years of age and over in that group.
Source: Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada, 2001.