Maple News reports that Canada continues to attract individuals from around the world, with the first six months of 2025 marking a significant influx of new Canadian citizens. Over this period, thousands of permanent residents from a wide range of countries completed their journey to citizenship, reflecting Canada’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and opportunity.
Leading the list is India, with 35,586 individuals obtaining Canadian citizenship between January and June 2025. The Philippines follows as the second-largest contributor, with 14,309 citizens naturalized in the same timeframe. Nigeria (6,833), Iran (4,911), and China (4,845) round out the top five, underscoring long-standing immigration ties with Asia and Africa.
European nations like France (4,345) and the United Kingdom (2,569), along with the United States (3,872), continue to be key sources of new citizens. Their presence reflects the desire among foreign professionals and families from developed economies to establish long-term roots in Canada.
Meanwhile, countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Haiti — with 2,133, 2,555, and 1,848 new citizens, respectively — highlight Canada’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian support and refugee resettlement. This balance of economic and humanitarian immigration showcases the breadth of Canada’s immigration system.
The top 20 countries of birth for new Canadian citizens represent an impressive global reach. The list spans South Asia, Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, the Americas, and East Asia. This geographic diversity supports Canada’s long-standing multicultural values and illustrates the broad international appeal of Canadian citizenship.
According to the latest government data, most of these new citizens were previously admitted as permanent residents under various pathways — economic, family reunification, and refugee programs. Those who met the residency, language, and knowledge requirements were then eligible to apply for citizenship.
Here’s a snapshot of the top 10 source countries by number of new citizens:
1. India – 35,586
2. Philippines – 14,309
3. Nigeria – 6,833
4. Iran – 4,911
5. China – 4,845
6. France – 4,345
7. Pakistan – 3,973
8. United States – 3,872
9. Brazil – 3,669
10. United Kingdom – 2,569
Canada’s naturalization process continues to serve as a major milestone for newcomers, providing them with full rights, benefits, and responsibilities. As the country prepares for the second half of the year, these figures affirm the enduring global interest in becoming Canadian — a testament to both the strength of its immigration frameworks and the inclusive nature of life in Canada.