State of the Express Entry Pool in December 2024: Trends and Insights
Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve, with notable trends emerging from the recent draws and pool composition. In December 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the first Express Entry draw, focusing on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This follows the patterns seen in recent months, with a steady number of ITAs issued to candidates in various categories, including PNP, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and category-based selections. Let’s break down the latest trends, as well as the composition of the Express Entry pool at the start of December.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Recent Express Entry Draws
- November 2024: Express Entry Draw Highlights
- PNP, CEC, and Category-Based Selections
- Monthly ITA Issuances: A Recurring Trend
- Current State of the Express Entry Pool
- CRS Score Distribution and Percentile Analysis
- Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the Coming Months
1. Overview of Recent Express Entry Draws
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has continued to prioritize candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) categories. The first Express Entry draw of December 2024 continued the trend of issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to PNP candidates.
The month of November also reflected a steady pace of draws, with six in total. The draws targeted a mix of categories, particularly those focusing on healthcare occupations, CEC candidates, and French-language proficiency.
2. November 2024: Express Entry Draw Highlights
In November, IRCC hosted six Express Entry draws, focusing on different categories:
- Healthcare Occupations Draw: The largest draw of the month, issuing 3,000 ITAs to candidates in healthcare-related fields, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 463.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws: Smaller ITA counts, typically around 400 to 800 candidates, were invited through these streams, resulting in relatively higher CRS cut-off scores.
- French Language Proficiency: The French language proficiency stream also received attention, with 800 ITAs being issued to candidates with strong French language skills.
3. PNP, CEC, and Category-Based Selections
As per Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, a substantial number of ITAs have been issued to candidates under the “In-Canada Focus” category, which prioritizes PNP and CEC candidates. This approach aligns with Canada’s current immigration priorities, where the federal government aims to boost admissions for candidates with healthcare, trades, and French language skills.
Furthermore, category-based selection draws are expected to play a key role, targeting specific sectors and skilled labor to address Canada’s growing labor market needs.
4. Monthly ITA Issuances: A Recurring Trend
Over the past three months, IRCC has consistently issued between 5,000 and 6,000 ITAs for permanent residence. Here is a quick breakdown of ITA issuances for the last few months:
| Month | Number of ITAs Issued |
| November | 5,507 |
| October | 5,961 |
| September | 5,911 |
This consistent issuance indicates a stable demand for skilled immigrants, particularly those in targeted professions.
5. Current State of the Express Entry Pool
As of December 1, 2024, the Express Entry pool contained a total of 218,490 candidates. The distribution of CRS scores in the pool shows a wide range of scores, with the largest number of candidates falling between the 351-400 range. Here is a breakdown of the number of candidates within each CRS score range:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
| 0-300 | 5,615 |
| 301-350 | 22,280 |
| 351-400 | 50,609 |
| 401-410 | 11,239 |
| 411-420 | 11,602 |
| 421-430 | 11,217 |
| 431-440 | 12,313 |
| 441-450 | 11,219 |
| 451-460 | 11,872 |
| 461-470 | 12,521 |
| 471-480 | 14,371 |
| 481-490 | 11,905 |
| 491-500 | 12,316 |
| 501-600 | 18,673 |
| 601-1200 | 738 |
6. CRS Score Distribution and Percentile Analysis
The CRS score distribution reveals that a significant portion of candidates in the pool fall into the mid-range, with the 351-400 range encompassing the largest group of individuals. In contrast, only a small percentage (0.34%) of candidates fall within the top CRS range of 601-1200.
Here’s a percentile analysis showing the rank of each CRS score range:
| CRS Score Range | Percentile Range | Percentage of Candidates |
| 0-300 | 0.0 – 2.57% | 2.57% |
| 301-350 | 2.57 – 12.77% | 10.20% |
| 351-400 | 12.77 – 35.93% | 23.16% |
| 401-410 | 35.93 – 41.07% | 5.14% |
| 411-420 | 41.07 – 46.38% | 5.31% |
| 421-430 | 46.38 – 51.52% | 5.14% |
| 431-440 | 51.52 – 57.15% | 5.64% |
| 441-450 | 57.15 – 62.29% | 5.13% |
| 451-460 | 62.29 – 67.72% | 5.43% |
| 461-470 | 67.72 – 73.45% | 5.73% |
| 471-480 | 73.45 – 80.03% | 6.58% |
| 481-490 | 80.03 – 85.48% | 5.45% |
| 491-500 | 85.48 – 91.12% | 5.64% |
| 501-600 | 91.12 – 99.66% | 8.55% |
| 601-1200 | 99.66 – 100.00% | 0.34% |
7. Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the Coming Months
As we move into the next year, Express Entry draws are expected to continue focusing on PNP, CEC, and category-based selections. The introduction of the “In-Canada Focus” category is likely to shape the future of the Express Entry system, emphasizing the need for skilled workers within Canada’s borders. Candidates with healthcare, trade, and French language skills will continue to be prioritized.
Moreover, the overall ITA numbers are expected to remain consistent, with draws targeting specific sectors to address Canada’s labor market needs. Keep an eye on these trends to understand how the pool and draw patterns evolve throughout 2025.
Canada’s immigration system is poised to remain a cornerstone of economic growth, with Express Entry continuing to offer opportunities to skilled workers and professionals worldwide. As trends suggest, the coming months will be crucial for candidates aiming to secure a spot in Canada’s workforce.
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