How are Muslims contributing to the Canadian economy?
Muslims and the Canadian Economy Contrary to the belief that Muslims come to Canada to reap its economic benefits only to return to their country of origin, or that Muslims are an economic burden, Muslims actually contribute more to the Canadian economy than is realized. As a community in Canada, Muslims are among the most highly educated, which is both a reflection of Canadas acceptance of skilled, professional immigrants in the 1970s and 1960s (Hamdani 1986), and the religious emphasis on the importance of seeking knowledge. In fact, 27 percent of working Muslims, (age 25 to 44), have one or more university degrees, as compared to 17 percent of the general working population (Hamdani 2002). Twenty percent of all Muslims over age 15 have a university degree, which is more than double the Canadian average (Hamdani 1986). Most Muslim Canadians work, where only 2 percent are in retirement age (age 65 and up) (Hamdani 1986). More young Muslim women are working in Canada than before about
