Newfoundland and Labrador’s Population Demographics by Ethnicity

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, maintains one of the most homogenous populations in the country. The 2021 Census data reveals that while the province is predominantly White, it also has a significant Indigenous population and a small but growing multicultural community.

Key Insights on Newfoundland & Labrador’s Demographics:

• White residents make up the vast majority of the population at 87.6%.
• Indigenous peoples represent a significant 8.7%, reflecting the province’s deep Indigenous heritage, particularly among the Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit communities.
• The largest visible minority is the South Asian community, comprising 0.8% of the population.
• The presence of other ethnic groups, including Black, Filipino, Chinese, and Arab populations, remains small but has been growing steadily over recent years.

Newfoundland & Labrador’s Population by Ethnicity (2021)

Ethnicity	Population	% of Population
White	440,050	87.6%
South Asian	4,085	0.8%
Chinese	1,565	0.3%
Black	3,005	0.6%
Filipino	2,085	0.4%
Arab	1,720	0.3%
Latin American	750	0.1%
Southeast Asian	420	0.1%
West Asian	550	0.1%
Korean	165	0.0%
Japanese	45	0.0%
Other ethnicities	575	0.1%
Two or more ethnicities	3,290	0.7%
Indigenous peoples	43,785	8.7%

FAQ

What is the largest ethnic group in Newfoundland and Labrador?
The largest ethnic group in Newfoundland and Labrador is White, accounting for 87.6% of the population.

What percentage of Newfoundland and Labrador’s population is Indigenous?
Approximately 8.7% of Newfoundland and Labrador’s population identifies as Indigenous, making it one of the highest proportions in Eastern Canada.

Which visible minority group is largest in Newfoundland and Labrador?
The South Asian community is the largest visible minority in Newfoundland and Labrador, representing 0.8% of the province’s 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