Canada’s Population Demographics by Ethnicity

Canada is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, and the 2021 Census by Statistics Canada provides a detailed snapshot of the nation’s ethnic composition. With a multicultural population, Canada’s demographic makeup reflects centuries of immigration, indigenous heritage, and cultural diversity.

Key Highlights for Canada’s Demographics:

• White Canadians remain the largest ethnic group, accounting for 67% of the population.
• South Asians represent the largest visible minority group at 7%, followed by Chinese (4%) and Black Canadians (4%).
• Indigenous peoples make up 5% of the population, showcasing Canada’s ongoing recognition of its First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
• A growing number of Canadians, about 3%, identify as having two or more ethnicities, reflecting the country’s multicultural and mixed-heritage families.

Insights on Canada’s Ethnic Diversity

Canada’s ethnic diversity is a defining characteristic of its national identity. The country continues to attract immigrants from around the world, contributing to the growth of visible minority populations and enriching its cultural landscape.

Urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are especially diverse, serving as hubs where multiple ethnic communities thrive side by side. As immigration remains a key driver of population growth, Canada’s ethnic composition is expected to become even more varied in the coming decades.

Canada’s Population by Ethnicity (2021)

Ethnicity	Population	% of Population
White	24,493,090	67%
South Asian	2,496,000	7%
Chinese	1,625,010	4%
Black	1,389,765	4%
Filipino	899,300	2%
Arab	674,125	2%
Latin American	579,010	2%
Southeast Asian	359,235	1%
West Asian	359,340	1%
Korean	206,085	1%
Japanese	61,675	0%
Other ethnicities	251,750	1%
Two or more ethnicities	1,162,055	3%
Indigenous peoples	1,772,025	5%

FAQ

1. What is the largest ethnic group in Canada?
The largest ethnic group in Canada is White Canadians, representing approximately 67% of the total population according to the 2021 Census.

2. What percentage of Canada’s population is Indigenous?
Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, make up about 5% of Canada’s population, based on the latest census data.

3. Which visible minority group is the largest in Canada?
The South Asian community is the largest visible minority group in Canada, comprising around 7% of the population.

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