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A curated resource of recent research on trends shaping Canada's labour market.

Geographic mobility of Canadian bachelor’s degree graduates, 2012 to 2021 
June 17, 2025 | BY Brunet, S., Azmi, Y., & Marshall, G.
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Key Takeaway
Compared to residents of other provinces in Canada, those in Quebec and Ontario are more likely to pursue undergraduate degrees in their home province and remain there afterwards. The Atlantic provinces and territories see much more student movement, both in and out of the region, with shifting net gains over time. 

 

New data from Statistics Canada tracking graduate cohorts from 2012 to 2021 show that Quebec and Ontario have the highest retention rates of any province, with more than 90% of new graduates staying in their home province and only 5% to 7% coming from elsewhere. These high retention rates reflect strong local ties and capacity.   

In contrast, the Atlantic provinces and territories saw significantly more two-way movement over the studied period. Nova Scotia stands out among its Atlantic neighbours, drawing more than one-third of its graduates from other provinces.  

Overall, more new graduates moved into the territories than out, although this trend declined over the decade studied: in 2012, the region saw a 66% increase in resident graduates, but by 2021, this had fallen to just 20%. Alberta’s net gain of graduates also saw a sharp decline: to near zero by 2021 from 17% in 2012.   

These trends highlights the shifting dynamics in where graduates choose to settle after earning their degrees. 

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