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Ethnic Origin in British Columbia
In 2023, British Columbia, the third-largest Canadian Province by population, stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of racial and ethnic diversity within its borders. The term ‘ethnic origin’ delves into the cultural roots that shape the province’s demographic landscape, as revealed by the 2021 Census, documenting an impressive 300+ reported ethnic origins. Notably, English origin emerges as the most frequently reported ethnic origin, closely followed by Scottish and Irish.
Comprising 59.7% of the population, European origins remain predominant, while Aboriginals contribute 5.9%, representing significant communities such as First Nations, Metis, and Inuit.
A striking 34.4% of British Columbia’s population identifies with visible minority groups, emphasizing the province’s commitment to inclusivity. Prominent among these communities are South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Southeast Asian populations. These insights into race, ethnicity, and ancestry offer a comprehensive understanding of British Columbia’s evolving demographics in 2024, reflecting the dynamic interplay of diverse cultural influences.
also read about the Population of British Columbia
British Columbia population by race
European origin is most prevalent with 59.7% of the British Columbia Population. The ethnic origin most often reported in British Columbia was English, followed by Scottish, Irish, and German. Chinese and South Asian Origin are also in good percentage.
Let’s look at the top Ethnic Origins in British Columbia
| # | 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% |
Other 200+ population groups.
Note: Since responses are based on self-identification, it is possible for individuals to identify with multiple categories, which may add up to more than 100%. For example, an individual may identify as both Indian and Punjabi.
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
*”Canadian” as an ethnic group has since 1996 been added to census questionnaires for possible ancestral origin or descent. “The Respondents generally are visibly European (Anglophones and Francophones) and no longer self-identify with their ethnic ancestral origins. This response is attributed to a multitude or generational distance from ancestral lineage.
Visible minorities and Aboriginals in British Columbia
Over the past few decades, the non-European population has been increasing in British Columbia. According to the 2021 Census, approximately 34.4% of the province’s population belongs to a visible minority group, while the total number of Aboriginal people is 5.90%.
Visible minority populations
Almost 34.4% of the population of British Columbia belongs to a visible minority group. Chinese, South Asians, Filipino, Korean, Southeast Asians, etc. are the largest visible minority groups.
| # | 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% |
Aboriginal populations
Around 5.90% of the population of British Columbia belongs to Indigenous People.
| 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 2021
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