Immigration is a worldwide phenomenon.
Canada's reflection of ethnic diversity is due to the .
The vast majority of Canadians are born in .
Canada, and most of them are from European descent. .
Close to, half of all immigrants that came to Canada between 1991 and .
1996 reveal a first language other than French or English. During this time, .
many immigrants came from Asia and the Middle East. It's been reported .
that 29 percent of Canadians have more than one ethnic origin. Native .
peoples make up about 3 percent and blacks about 2 percent of the .
population.
Canada has an open immigration program that accepts newcomers .
approximately from every other country in the world. The estimated population .
in 2002 was 31,902,268.
Immigration is important in maintaining Canada's population. The .
current childbearing generation has smaller families than earlier generations: .
the fertility rate is 1.6, less than the population replacement rate of 2.1. At .
the same time, older people are living longer, so that the average age of the .
population is higher. In 2002, Canada's rate of natural increase was 0.36 .
percent, resulting from a birth rate of 11.1 per 1,000 persons and a death rate .
of 7.5 per 1,000. There is a downward trend in the birth index "in 1981, it was .
15.3 "and the likely result will be zero growth or population loss. For this .
reason the Canadian government in the 1980's decided to balance the low .
birth rate by allowing more immigration into the country.
The way immigrants adjust to life in Canada has much to do with the .
reason why they came here. Most modern immigrants are motivated to .
relocate far from their homelands by the desire to improve their and their .
family's lives. Such people are known as economic immigrants. They resettle .
in other countries in search of jobs, education, or business opportunities. .
Today, economic migrations bring people from poorer countries to more .
developed and prosperous countries.
