Canada vs India: Which is better for Education & Work

Canada vs India - which is better for education and work? To begin with, both countries are renowned for academic excellence, a strong job market, and cultural diversity. Yet, Canada holds the upper hand in terms of quality education, living standards, safety, and permanent residency benefits. In fact, every year, thousands of Indian students move to Canada for higher education, eventually contributing to 32% of permanent residents.

According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 1,028,850 international students held study permits in Canada in 2023, while according to the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) statistics, 40,431 foreign students came to India in 2023 for education purposes.

As an international student, if you compare these two countries for overseas studies, you must consider not just education but everything, ranging from area and population to jobs and the size of the economy. Here, we compare India vs Canada on various study-abroad aspects like popular courses, universities, tuition fees, living costs, student visas, job opportunities, safety, cultural aspects, etc. So, at the end of this blog, you can identify the crucial differences between India and Canada to make an informed decision.

Table of Contents:

• Benefits of Living in Canada
• Benefits of Living in India
• Canada and India: Basic Information
• Canada vs India: Standard of Living
• Canada vs India: Education System
• Canada vs India: Popular Courses
• Canada vs India: Top Universities with QS Rankings
• Canada vs India: Student Visa
• Canada vs India: Permanent Residency (PR)
• Canada vs India: Job Opportunities After Graduating
• Canada vs India: Cost of Living
• Canada vs India: HealthCare
• Canada vs India: Safety and Crime Rate
• Canada vs India: Climate and Weather Conditions
• India vs Canada: Relationship
• Canada vs India: Which is better?
• FAQs

Benefits of Living in Canada

Following is the list of benefits of living in Canada. While moving abroad, keep these factors in mind.

• High Standard of Living - Canada has a high standard of living, ensuring basic needs, like drinking water, clean air, etc. They offer corrupt-free services to all.
• Quality Education - Education is free for children up to 16 - 18 years. For higher education, Canadian universities are among the top 30 in QS World University Rankings and attract millions of international students.
• Free Healthcare System - Since Canada has the best healthcare infrastructure facilities and medical insurance, it guarantees a free healthcare system.
• Safety and Security - Canada is a peaceful country where people of different races and ethnicity are easy to go along with. There is a low crime rate and social stability.
• Cultural Diversity - Canada is built by people from different parts of the world. So, they always embrace different cultures and ethnicities.
• Huge Job Market - Top companies, like Google, KPMG, IBM, and online job portals are available for freshers. So it’s easy to get a job in Canada right after graduation.
• Low Living Cost - Compared to other English-speaking countries, Canada has a low cost of living, which includes rent, public transportation, accessories, groceries, etc.
• Tourism - Canada features a diverse landscape used exclusively for tourism. Niagara falls, Old Quebec, and Whistler are some of the famous tourist destinations.
• Social and Political Stability - Canadian government provides political and social stability. There is no political turmoil, strikes, processions or outbursts seen.
• Welcoming Immigrants - To fill the employment gap, Canada attracts skilled migrants across the globe. In 2022, Canada welcomed 431,645 new permanent residents (PRs).

Benefits of Living in India

If you’re wondering how good India is, compared to other countries, check out the following list of the benefits of living in India.

• Low Cost of Living - Despite being the 6th largest economy, India’s cost of living is low, unlike other countries like the US, China, Japan, etc.
• Favourable Climate - India is best for its favourable climate, and accommodating people across the world. Almost 90% of the Indian landmass is suitable for living.
• Tourist Attractions - India features some of the world’s famous attractions like the Taj Mahal, the Himalayas, etc. Tourists visit India for ancient monuments, spirituality, healthcare, adventure, and serene natural spots.
• Good Education System - In India, education is a fundamental right, free for children up to 14 years of age. For higher education, universities are striving to achieve international standards. However, they offer skilled labourers.
• Quality Food - India is blessed with a variety of natural resources. That’s why they produce good quality food. They follow age-old cooking to ensure it’s healthy.
• Traditional Festivals - Due to its diverse and rich culture, Indians give importance to traditional festivals and celebrate them every year.
• Welcome Culture - India is fond of foreigners, and they welcome them with joy. Since India has tourist places everywhere, they know how to treat people from abroad and make them feel good and comfortable.
• HealthCare and Insurance - India is booming in the healthcare industry. Recently, they've been equipped with the latest technology necessary for treatment. Citizens have become cautious about health, taking medical insurance just in case.

Canada and India: Basic Information

Before comparing Canada and India, it’s important to get some basic understanding of two countries like the demographics, population, official language, etc. It helps to know more about the country. The table below shares some basic information for your reference.

Basic Information	Canada	India
Area Size	9.985 million km² (2nd largest country in the world)	3.287 million km² (7th largest country in the world)
Population	40 million (in January 2024)	1.44 billion (in January 2024)
Official Languages	English and French	English and Hindi
Time Difference	6.30 AM in Ottawa, ON, Canada	4.00 PM in Mumbai, India

Here, please note that the Indian Standard Time (IST) is 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Canada.

Canada vs India: Standard of Living

The standard of living is measured based on a person’s material wealth. If there are high employment opportunities and high income, there is a high standard of living. Since an individual (skilled/unskilled) finds a job easier in Canada than in India with a high income, Canada is to have a high standard of living. In the latest Human Development Index (HDI) report, Canada is 15th, and India is in the 132nd position based on three critical factors.

In Canada, the average earring of a skilled worker is $75,000 per year. Whereas in India, the average salary is INR 3,50,000 per year or ₹30,000 per month (488.40 CAD). It shows that Canadians have more purchasing power. In fact, Canada is among the top 10 countries that provide the best quality of life, ensuring employees’ work-life balance.

Canada vs India: Education System

Canada and India provide free education to children from 6 to 14 years (some Canadian provinces offer up to 16 - 18 years). In terms of quality education, Canada surpasses India. The education system in Canada comprises kindergarten, public & private schools, and universities. Here, private schools charge CAD 6,000 - 26,000 per year. But, the government gives subsidies in the tuition fee and scholarships in Canada for Indian students.

Because of this, many Indians study abroad in Canada for bachelor’s & master’s degrees, with the eligibility criteria like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores, fee structure, credits, etc. They mostly choose Medicine, IT, Law, or MBA programs.

Canada vs India: Popular Courses

International students select courses from various disciplines to study in Canada and India based on their interests.

Popular Courses in Canada:

• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Health Sciences (Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine)
• Arts & Humanities
• Business Management and Engineering.

Popular Courses in India:

• Law
• Journalism
• Digital Marketing
• Data Science
• Cyber Security
• Chartered Accountancy

Canada vs India: Top Universities with QS Rankings

The table below provides the top universities along with their QS rankings for 2024 boasted by India and Canada respectively.

Canada vs India Top Universities
Canadian Universities	QS World University Rankings 2024	Indian Universities	QS World University Rankings 2024
University of Toronto	21	Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)	40
McGill University	30	Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)	46
University of British Columbia	=34	Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)	53
University of Alberta	111	Indian Institute of Science	58
University of Waterloo	112	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP)	59
Western University	114	Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)	63
Université de Montréal	=141	University of Delhi	=94
University of Calgary	182	Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG)	111
McMaster University	=189	Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR)	116
University of Ottawa	=203	Jawaharlal Nehru University	117

The information above illustrates that Canada offers more top-ranking universities than India, with a high acceptance rate of 30-50%.

Canada vs India: Student Visa

International students must obtain a student visa to study in Canada or India. However, there are some major differences in each country’s student visa. Let’s see them here.

Canada Student Visa

In Canada, IRCC issues study permits to foreign students to study at designated learning institutes (DLIs) in Canada. For certain countries, study permits can be obtained faster by applying online through the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

When you apply for study permit, you must produce:

• Acceptance letter
• Provincial attestation letter (PAL)
• Proof of identity
• Proof of financial support
• A Medical exam report
• A custodian declaration (minors only), or
• Other documents

The processing time to approve your study permit is approximately 15 weeks.

Indian Student Visa

Indian Student Visas are granted by Indian Missions/Embassies to international students who wish to study in Canada at a recognised educational institution. Indian student visas are valid for up to 5 years, depending on the course duration. It can be extended further.

The required documents to study Indian student visa are:

• Passport with 6-month validity
• Passport size photographs
• Photocopy of passport
• Proof of residential address
• A printed copy of the online (filled) form
• Formal admission letter
• University details
• Bank Statement

After applying for a student visa, candidates are advised to regularly check their status in the StudyinIndia portal.
Students who obtained an Indian Student Visa are required to register with the concerned FRRO within 14 days of the first arrival.

Canada vs India: Permanent Residency (PR)

In Canada, international students after graduation can secure a permanent residence through either the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Provincial Nominee Program. Apart from that, a post-graduate work permit (PGWP) allows most international students to remain in Canada to work with any Canadian employer. A PGWP is not a direct permanent residence program.

In India, unless you are of Indian origin, the only way to get permanent residency is through investment.

Therefore, Canada has better PR opportunities than India for international students.

Canada vs India: Job Opportunities After Graduating

Without any second thought, Canada offers better employment opportunities than India. The job market in Canada for international students is one step ahead of other English-speaking countries due to co-op facilities for students, high-salaried jobs, work-life balance and a hybrid working model. Also, there are various avenues available to easily get a job, like Talent Egg, Job Fairs, networking events, and online portals.

The average salary in Canada is between CAD 55,000 and CAD 107,000 annually, while in India, the average salary for skilled labourers is between 4 lakhs to 15 lakhs per annum. Some key employee benefits in Canada include vacation leave, pension contributions, employment insurance, paid time off and survivor benefits for those who’ve passed away.

Check out the top paying jobs in Canada vs India in the table below.

Top Paying Jobs in Canada vs India
Canada	India
Cloud Architects - CAD 125,296	Medical Doctors - 18.6 lakh INR
IT Project Manager - CAD 97,644	Marketing Manager - 14 lakh INR
Data Scientists - CAD 99,440	Blockchain Developer - 7.5 lakh INR
Full-Stack Developers - CAD 122,700	Product Management - 18 lakh INR
DevOps Engineers - CAD 151,508	Chartered Accountant - 11.5 lakh INR
Business Intelligence Analysts - CAD 105,140	Investment Banker - 40 lakh INR
Machine Learning Expert - CAD 1,13,192	Full Stack Software Developer - 7 lakh INR
Cloud Systems Engineers - CAD 125,808	Machine Learning Professionals - 18 lakh INR
Digital Marketers - CAD 74,999	Management Consultants - 27 lakh INR
Cyber-Security Officers - CAD 124,030	Commercial Pilots - 24 lakh INR

Other than the above information, there are also other highest paying jobs in Canada.

India vs Canada: Cost of Living

The term “cost of living” means the money required to meet basic needs like housing, food, transportation, healthcare, etc. Since the value of a Canadian dollar is 61.42 Indian rupee, it’s obvious that Canada has a higher cost of living compared to India. For a better understanding, the cost of living in India vs Canada is given below.

The Average Cost of Living in Canada vs India
Factors	Canada	India
Accommodation	1,500 - 3,000 CAD per month	INR 5,000 - 15,000 per month
Food expenses	150 - 250 CAD per month	INR 500 - 2000 per week
Utility costs	300 CAD per month	INR 8,000 per month
Transportation	80 - 150 CAD per month	INR 1,000 - 3,000 per month
Health & Medicine	$550 CAD per month	₹2,000 per month
Education (Tuition Fee)	$15,000 - $23,000 per year	₹2 - 5 Lakh per year
Miscellaneous	200 CAD per month	INR 1000 per month

From the above information, it’s obvious that:

• Food prices are 502.67% higher in Canada than in India
• House rent prices are 750.90% higher in Canada than in India
• Healthcare prices are 28 times higher in Canada than in India
• Transportation prices are 100.23% higher in Canada than in India
• Education costs are 143.20% higher in Canada than in India

However, the monthly income, purchasing power, and living standards are better in Canada.

Canada vs India: HealthCare

In the 2022 World Health Statistics Report of WHO (World Health Organization), Canada ranks higher than India because of its accessibility. Some Canadian Medicare and health insurance is funded by the Canadian government. However, since Indian students are used to the latest healthcare infrastructure and facilities in India, they find it difficult to accommodate the Canadian healthcare system.

On that side, India is popular for medical tourism, especially traditional medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha, Yoga, Neuropathy, and Homeopathy. Even though India has more hospitals, clinics, doctors & nurses than Canada, they fall behind due to a lack of health infrastructure, a larger population, poor access to remote areas, no insurance coverage, etc.

Astonishingly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India was among the least affected due to timely preventive measures by the public & private sectors and vaccinating citizens.

Canada vs India: Safety and Crime Rate

In terms of safety and crime rate, Canada registered fewer crimes than India. In the 2023 Global Peace Index (GPI), Canada ranks 11th, and India ranks 126th position. It reveals that Canada is a safer and more peaceful place to live.

The Global Peace Index produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), determines the state of peace across three different factors:

• The level of Societal Safety and Security
• The extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict
• And the degree of Militarisation

Recently, an Indian student who works at a departmental store in Ontario said, “This is a friendly country. At 20, I have a job here. Canada makes me feel independent and confident, and I am happy to be here.” Similarly, another student said, “This is such a peaceful country with fun-loving and helpful people.”

Canada vs India: Climate and Weather Conditions

India is a relatively warm country, suitable for living. But Canada is one of the coldest countries in the world, with very short summers and more freezing winters. The average temperature of India recorded 26.03 degrees Celsius as it’s located in the tropical zone, while Canada’s average temperature was 2.1 °C (35.78 °F) as it’s in the temperate zone.

When Indians move to Canada, they must be aware of extremely cold weather, strokes, infectious diseases due to climate change, endemic, etc. As far as pollution is concerned, Canada absorbs clean air and water. And India is suffering from air pollution in the northern parts.

Moving on to an important aspect: the relationship between India and Canada. International students must understand Canada–India relations to learn about their academic and research collaborations, as well as political and cultural dimensions.

India vs Canada: Relationship

Canada–India relations, also referred to as Indo-Canadian relations, were established in 1947. Since then, India and Canada have had strong bilateral ties with shared values of democracy, pluralism, and personal connections. Education is a key area of collaboration between the two nations. Since 2018, India has been the largest source country for international students in Canada. Trade-wise, India was Canada’s 10th largest trading partner. Thus, while Canada and India maintain a broad-based relationship, their ties have been strained by a sudden uprising in Canada, followed by diplomatic tensions. To ease this diplomatic spat, building trust and confidence between the two countries is essential.

Canada vs India: Which is better?

By comparing Canada vs India, it is clear that Canada is better than India for international students, offering top-ranking universities, better job prospects, a high standard of living and a peaceful environment. While India boasts a rich cultural heritage, striving to achieve the best education globally, max health insurance coverage, necessary infrastructure and more. If you need guidance or an expert’s advice, contact us. We will clarify your doubts and help you achieve your study abroad dreams.

FAQs

1. Which is better, living in Canada or India?

Canada is better than India in living because Canada has a better standard of living, high-salaried jobs, a low crime rate, free healthcare services, public infrastructure, quality education, etc. And as per the 2022 Human Development Index (HDI), Canada is 15th, and India is in the 132nd position.

2. Is Canada richer than India?

Yes. Canada is richer than India. The GDP per capita of Canada is $46,150, whereas GDP per capita of India is $6,125 as of 2020.

3. Is Canada good for Indians?

Absolutely, Canada is good for Indians. Many Indians have moved to Canada in the recent past for study or better job opportunities. Canada also offers permanent residence (PR) for international students who meet the eligibility criteria. Read here to learn more about the cost of living in Canada.

4. Why do people choose Canada over India?

Since Canada has a better standard of living and more purchasing power than India, people choose Canada over India. Moreover, Canada provides a better education, healthcare, a safer place to live, and, more importantly, job opportunities.

5. How much is a good salary in Canada?

A good salary in Canada is CAD 45,855 per year, which is $3,821 per month or $14.1 per hour.