Retention of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science graduates in Canada - Release date July 23, 2025

Oct 15, 2026

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Economic and Social Reports examines how science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science (STEM) graduates are retained in Canada after completing Canadian postsecondary programs. It reviews the context of international mobility and the “brain drain” to the United States under NAFTA and its successor agreement. Using Postsecondary Student Information System data and the T1 Family File, it proxies graduates’ presence in Canada and discusses how numbers of domestic and international STEM graduates have grown since 2010.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Overview and context

Data sources and measurement approach

Key findings and discussion

Catalogue no. 36-28-0001 ISSN 2563-8955 Economic and Social Reports Retention of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science graduates in Canada by Youjin Choi and Feng Hou Release date: July 23, 2025 How to obtain more information For information about this product or the wide range of services and data available from Statistics Canada, visit our website, [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca). You can also contact us by Email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca Telephone, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , at the following numbers: • Statistical Information Service 1-800-263-1136 • National telecommunications device for the hearing impaired 1-800-363-7629 • Fax line 1-514-283-9350 Standards of service to the public Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients. To obtain a copy of these service standards, please contact Statistics Canada toll-free at 1-800-263-1136. The service standards are also published on [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca)[ ](www.statcan.gc.ca)[under](under) “Contact us” > “Standards of service to the public.” Note of appreciation Canada owes the success of its statistical system to along-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill. Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025 Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement. An HTML version is also available. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français. Retention of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science graduates in Canada by Youjin Choi and Feng Hou DOI: [https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202500700004-eng](https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202500700004-eng) The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which came into effect in 1994, was designed to facilitate the mobility of skilled labour across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Under the NAFTA and the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement that replaced the NAFTA, Canadian citizens who have a pre-arranged job in selected professions with a U.S. employer can work temporarily in the United States for up to three years through simplified procedures.1 During the 1990s, Canada experienced a net loss of skilled workers to the United States, and the“brain drain” to the United States was driven mainly by medical professions (e.g. , physicians and nurses) (Zhao, Drew and Murray, 2000) . In today’s world, where research and development in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science (STEM) sector drive economic prosperity, the brain drain of STEM workers has become a growing concern. The popularity of STEM fields in Canadian postsecondary education and the number of STEM graduates have grown among both Canadian and international students. The number of Canadian graduates from STEM postsecondary programs at the bachelor’s level or higher increased from 45,380 in 2010 to 63,250 in 2021, and the number of international student graduates quadrupled from 5,550 to 24,900 (Statistics Canada, n.d.) . The share of international students among total STEM graduates went up from 11% to 28% during the same period.2 What is unknown is how many STEM graduates stay and contribute to the Canadian labour market. STEM knowledge is [relatively transferable across borders. The U.S. tech](relatively transferable across borders. The U.S. tech) industry attracts skilled workers from around the world with high-paying jobs, and the NAFTA made it easier for Canadian citizen STEM graduat

FAQs

What is the study’s main purpose?

To examine how STEM graduates stay and remain active in the Canadian labour market after completing Canadian postsecondary programs.

How does the study measure STEM graduate retention?

It uses whether a person appeared in the T1 Family File as a proxy for presence in Canada, drawing on PSIS graduation information and income tax filing records.

Why is STEM graduate retention considered important?

Because STEM-driven research and development support economic prosperity, and mobility related to NAFTA has raised concerns about a growing “brain drain” from STEM workers.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai