British Columbia’s Population Demographics by Ethnicity

British Columbia (BC) is one of Canada’s most diverse provinces, particularly in urban centers like Vancouver and Surrey. The 2021 Census reveals the ethnic makeup of BC, highlighting a significant presence of Asian communities alongside Indigenous and multicultural populations.

Key Insights on British Columbia‘s Demographics:

• White British Columbians make up the majority at 58.9%, lower than the national average.
• The Chinese community is the largest visible minority in BC, representing 10.6% of the population.
• South Asians are the second-largest visible minority at 9.3%.
• BC’s Indigenous population accounts for 5.8%, reflecting the province’s deep Indigenous roots.
• A growing 4% of the population identifies as having two or more ethnicities, showcasing the province’s multiculturalism.

British Columbia’s Cultural Diversity

British Columbia’s ethnic diversity is most pronounced in the Lower Mainland and Greater Vancouver Area, where multiple ethnic groups contribute to the province’s cultural vibrancy, economic growth, and social fabric.

British Columbia’s Population by Ethnicity (2021)

Ethnicity	Population	% of Population
White	2,896,970	58.9%
South Asian	458,690	9.3%
Chinese	522,620	10.6%
Black	46,905	1.0%
Filipino	160,725	3.3%
Arab	27,375	0.6%
Latin American	65,795	1.3%
Southeast Asian	65,730	1.3%
West Asian	69,115	1.4%
Korean	69,945	1.4%
Japanese	28,825	0.6%
Other ethnicities	21,660	0.4%
Two or more ethnicities	195,945	4.0%
Indigenous peoples	285,645	5.8%

FAQ

1. What is the largest ethnic group in British Columbia?
The largest ethnic group in British Columbia is White, accounting for 58.9% of the population.

2. Which visible minority is the largest in British Columbia?
The Chinese community is the largest visible minority in BC, comprising 10.6% of the province’s population.

3. What percentage of BC’s population is Indigenous?
Indigenous peoples make up about 5.8% of British Columbia’s population according to the 2021 Census.

Source:

Statistics Canada. Table 98-10-0324-01  Visible minority and population group by generation status: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts