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Ethnic Origin in British Columbia
British Columbia is the third-most populous province in Canada and one of its most ethnically diverse regions. Ethnic origin refers to the cultural or ancestral backgrounds of a person’s ancestors. According to the 2021 Census, residents of British Columbia reported over 300 distinct ethnic origins, highlighting the province’s multicultural character.
The most frequently reported ethnic origins in British Columbia are English, Scottish, and Irish. People of European origin account for about 59.7% of the population, forming the largest ancestry group in the province.
Indigenous peoples—including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit—represent approximately 5.9% of British Columbia’s population. In addition, 34.4% of residents belong to visible minority groups, with South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Southeast Asian communities among the largest. These figures reflect British Columbia’s evolving demographic landscape shaped by immigration, cultural diversity, and long-standing Indigenous presence.
Also read: Population of British Columbia
British Columbia Population by Ethnic Origin
People of European origin account for approximately 59.7% of British Columbia’s population, making them the largest ancestry group in the province. According to the 2021 Census, the most frequently reported ethnic origin in British Columbia was English, followed by Scottish, Irish, and German.
Due to sustained immigration over recent decades, Chinese and South Asian origins also represent a significant share of the population and rank among the province’s largest non-European ethnic groups.
Top Ethnic Origins in British Columbia (2021)
The table below lists the largest self-reported ethnic origins in British Columbia based on Census 2021 data. Percentages may exceed 100% because individuals can report multiple ethnic origins.
| # | Origins | Responses 2021 | Percentage |
| 1 | English | 1,019,250 | 20.73% |
| 2 | Scottish | 774,455 | 15.75% |
| 3 | Irish | 627,920 | 12.77% |
| 4 | German | 539,145 | 10.97% |
| 5 | Chinese | 517,805 | 10.53% |
| 6 | Canadian | 459,325 | 9.34% |
| 7 | French origins | 313,820 | 6.38% |
| 8 | Indian (India) | 275,970 | 5.61% |
| 9 | Ukrainian | 210,100 | 4.27% |
| 10 | First Nations (North American Indian) | 209,315 | 4.26% |
| 11 | British Isles | 191,025 | 3.89% |
| 12 | Dutch | 189,985 | 3.86% |
| 13 | Filipino | 172,920 | 3.52% |
| 14 | Italian | 162,485 | 3.31% |
| 15 | Norwegian | 137,175 | 2.79% |
| 16 | Polish | 134,635 | 2.74% |
| 17 | Russian | 121,755 | 2.48% |
| 18 | Welsh | 104,225 | 2.12% |
| 19 | Swedish | 103,635 | 2.11% |
| 20 | Punjabi | 93,395 | 1.90% |
| 21 | Métis | 85,200 | 1.73% |
| 22 | Korean | 72,025 | 1.47% |
| 23 | American | 71,530 | 1.46% |
| 24 | Sikh | 69,105 | 1.41% |
| 25 | Danish | 54,865 | 1.12% |
| 26 | Japanese | 54,635 | 1.11% |
| 27 | Spanish | 54,365 | 1.11% |
| 28 | Hungarian | 51,915 | 1.06% |
| 29 | Vietnamese | 51,885 | 1.06% |
| 30 | Iranian | 49,390 | 1.00% |
| 31 | Austrian | 45,280 | 0.92% |
| 32 | French Canadian | 39,930 | 0.81% |
| 33 | Portuguese | 39,755 | 0.81% |
| 34 | Taiwanese | 37,530 | 0.76% |
| 35 | Jewish | 34,395 | 0.70% |
| 36 | Finnish | 33,680 | 0.69% |
| 37 | Romanian | 30,190 | 0.61% |
| 38 | Hong Konger | 30,015 | 0.61% |
| 39 | Swiss | 28,520 | 0.58% |
| 40 | Mexican | 28,450 | 0.58% |
| 41 | Icelandic | 25,910 | 0.53% |
| 42 | Cree origins | 25,890 | 0.53% |
| 43 | Croatian | 23,750 | 0.48% |
| 44 | Pacific Islands origins | 23,740 | 0.48% |
| 45 | Greek | 23,300 | 0.47% |
| 46 | Czech | 22,425 | 0.46% |
| 47 | Salish origins | 22,345 | 0.45% |
| 48 | Mennonite | 20,925 | 0.43% |
| 49 | British Columbian | 20,450 | 0.42% |
| 50 | Belgian | 19,510 | 0.40% |
In total, more than 200 additional ethnic origin groups were reported across British Columbia.
Source: Statistics Canada – Census 2021 (Ethnic Origin)
Note: Since 1996, “Canadian” has been included as a response option for ethnic origin. This category is most commonly reported by individuals of European descent who no longer identify with earlier ancestral origins due to generational distance.
Visible Minorities in British Columbia
Over the past few decades, the visible minority population in British Columbia has increased steadily, driven largely by immigration. According to the 2021 Census, approximately 34.4% of the province’s population belongs to a visible minority group.
Visible Minority Populations in British Columbia
Visible minorities account for about one-third of British Columbia’s population. The largest visible minority groups in the province are Chinese and South Asian, followed by Filipino, Korean, and Southeast Asian communities.
Largest Visible Minority Groups in British Columbia (2021)
Percentages are based on total provincial population.
| # | Visible minority Group | Pop. 2021 | Percentage |
| 1 | Chinese | 550,590 | 11.20% |
| 2 | South Asian | 473,970 | 9.64% |
| 3 | Filipino | 174,280 | 3.55% |
| 4 | Korean | 72,820 | 1.48% |
| 5 | Southeast Asian | 71,785 | 1.46% |
| 6 | West Asian | 69,270 | 1.41% |
| 7 | Latin American | 65,965 | 1.34% |
| 8 | Black | 61,755 | 1.26% |
| 9 | Japanese | 44,125 | 0.90% |
| 10 | Arab | 28,010 | 0.57% |
| – | Visible minority, n.i.e. 8 | 18,080 | 0.37% |
| – | Multiple visible minorities | 58,840 | 1.20% |
| Total | 1,689,490 | 34.37% |
Indigenous population in British Columbia
According to the 2021 Census, approximately 5.9% of British Columbia’s population identifies as Indigenous. Indigenous peoples in the province include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, with First Nations representing the largest Indigenous group.
Indigenous Population by Group in British Columbia (2021)
| Aboriginal Groups | Responses | Percentage |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 180,085 | 3.66% |
| Métis | 97,860 | 1.99% |
| Inuit origins | 1,720 | 0.03% |
| Indigenous responses n.i.e. | 5,980 | 0.12% |
| Multiple Indigenous responses | 4,560 | 0.09% |
| Total | 290,205 | 5.90% |
Source: Statistics Canada – Census 2021 (Indigenous Identity)
Key Demographic Highlights of British Columbia
British Columbia is one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse provinces, with over 300 reported ethnic origins in the 2021 Census.
People of European origin remain the largest group, accounting for about 59.7% of the population.
Visible minorities make up approximately 34.4% of British Columbia’s population, led by Chinese and South Asian communities.
The Indigenous population represents around 5.9%, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
English, Scottish, and Irish are the most commonly reported ethnic origins in the province.
These demographic patterns highlight British Columbia’s role as a key destination for immigration and cultural diversity in Canada.
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