Canada has overtaken the USA as the top destination for migrants seeking work, according to a new report from the Boston Consulting Group. 

In a survey by the Boston Consulting Group, participants from 190 countries said they had chosen Canada as their destination, while the USA was in second place. Previous BCG surveys from 2014 to 2018 put USA first among migrants. The USA has fallen behind Canada last year, pushing it down to third place behind Australia and New Zealand, according to the BCG’s report released this week.

The survey of nearly 209,000 participants was conducted in October 2020 and November 2020, 

While few are willing to move to another country for a job, many want to work at home for foreign employers. The BCG survey revealed a remarkable shift in attitudes to work, with 57% saying they were willing and able to “work abroad” in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and other countries.

In February, a report from the Royal Bank of Canada predicted that the country would not meet its target of returning to a regular migration pattern for 2021. The Government of Canada has set an ambitious target of 401,000 permanent residents in 2021 and have implemented several strategies to achieve this goal.