A recent Statistics Canada study has revealed a surprising trend — international students who graduate from healthcare programs in Canada are achieving stronger career outcomes and better job alignment than their peers in STEM and business fields.
The study, conducted by Youjin Choi and Li Xu, examined foreign nationals who transitioned to Permanent Residency (PR) between 2011 and 2021. It found that 56.7% of healthcare graduates worked in occupations closely related to their field of study, compared to 43.0% of STEM and 35.2% of business graduates.
This demonstrates a clear advantage for those pursuing careers in healthcare — particularly in nursing, health sciences, and medical technology, which are in high demand across Canada’s labour market.
📊 Study Highlights: Healthcare Tops the List
The study emphasized that students who earned their highest education in Canada had stronger job alignment overall. For instance, STEM graduates educated in Canada had an alignment rate of 47.9%, significantly higher than 31.7% among those educated abroad.
However, healthcare graduates maintained consistent success regardless of where they studied, showing stable alignment rates above 56% whether their education was completed in Canada or overseas.
| Field of Study | Alignment Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | 56.7% |
| STEM | 43.0% |
| Business & Administration | 35.2% |
🎓 Level of Education Matters
For STEM and business programs, higher levels of education correlated with higher alignment — meaning a master’s or PhD improved chances of working in related jobs.
However, in healthcare, the bachelor’s level saw the highest alignment rate (62.1%), surpassing even graduate degrees. This suggests that undergraduate healthcare qualifications already provide direct pathways into well-paying, in-demand jobs in Canada’s healthcare system.
💼 Employment Outcomes: STEM Still Strong but Less Aligned
While healthcare graduates had the highest alignment rates, STEM graduates enjoyed the lowest unemployment levels across all groups. Even when working outside their study field, many STEM professionals found medium- to high-skilled jobs under Canada’s TEER classification system, reflecting strong adaptability and employability.
Healthcare graduates, meanwhile, were equally likely to work in high- and medium-skilled roles (7.5%) but faced slightly higher representation in low-skilled occupations (12.4%).
Business graduates fared the worst in alignment and employment outcomes, with nearly half (49.3%) transitioning to unrelated jobs.
📈 The Importance of Canadian Education
The study clearly showed that obtaining one’s highest education in Canada significantly boosts career alignment and employability — a key insight for international students planning to study, work, and settle in Canada.
Those with Canadian degrees benefit from local work experience, professional networks, and employer recognition, all of which enhance PR prospects through pathways like Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
For example:
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STEM graduates with a Canadian credential: 47.9% alignment
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Healthcare graduates with a Canadian credential: 57.5% alignment
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Business graduates with a Canadian credential: 37.6% alignment
🌍 What This Means for International Students
For many international students, choosing a field of study is not just an academic decision — it’s a strategic step toward permanent residency. The findings indicate that those pursuing healthcare-related programs have a clear advantage in securing career-aligned employment and transitioning successfully into Canada’s workforce and PR pathways.
Meanwhile, STEM students continue to enjoy strong employment stability, even if their jobs don’t directly align with their education. Business students may need additional credentials or Canadian experience to improve job outcomes.
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🩺 Final Takeaway
The Statistics Canada findings make one thing clear: Canada rewards education that aligns with real labour market needs. Healthcare graduates currently lead the pack, but all international students can thrive with the right program, credentials, and immigration strategy.
With ICC Immigration, your Canadian dream doesn’t have to be uncertain — it can be planned, achievable, and permanent. 🌍✨