Arab Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
Arab Canadians are people in Canada who self-identify as having Arab ancestry, with origins in the Arab world of the Middle East and North Africa. This includes immigrants and descendants from the Levant—such as Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan—along with those from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and other Arab nations. Historically, Lebanese Canadians form the largest share of the Arab population in Canada.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 694,020 people reported Arab ancestry, representing approximately 1.91% of Canada’s total population. Arab Canadians are concentrated primarily in major urban centres, with Quebec having the highest proportion of Arab population among all provinces, followed by Ontario and Alberta.
Arab immigration to Canada has occurred in multiple waves, beginning in the late 19th century and expanding significantly after the 1970s due to economic migration, family reunification, and refugee movements linked to regional conflicts. Today, Arab Canadians contribute significantly to Canada’s cultural, linguistic, and economic diversity.
Also read: Arab Population in the United States
Arab Population by Nation of Origin
Statistics Canada allows respondents to self-identify their ethnic origin, ancestry, or nation of origin in the census. In the 2021 Census, 263,710 people reported their origin simply as Arab or other Arab, while many others identified with a specific Arab nation of origin.
Among detailed responses, Lebanese Canadians form the largest Arab subgroup in Canada, reflecting early migration patterns that began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Other major Arab communities trace their roots to Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Algeria, Iraq, and Palestine, alongside smaller populations from North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The table below presents the Arab population in Canada by specific nation of origin, based on 2021 Census responses.
Arab Nations Population in Canada (2021 Census)
| # | Country/Origin | Responses 2021 |
| 1 | Lebanese | 210,605 |
| 2 | Egyptian | 105,245 |
| 3 | Moroccan | 99,980 |
| 4 | Syrian | 98,250 |
| 6 | Algerian | 73,770 |
| 7 | Iraqi | 59,300 |
| 8 | Palestinian | 45,905 |
| 9 | Tunisian | 30,465 |
| 10 | Sudanese | 17,485 |
| 11 | Jordanian | 13,225 |
| 12 | Yemeni | 8,115 |
| 13 | Libyan | 7,945 |
| 14 | Saudi Arabian | 3,935 |
| 15 | Kuwaiti | 2,375 |
| 16 | Mauritanian | 1,285 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2021
also read about: Lebanese population in United States
Arab Population by Province in Canada
Arab Canadians are unevenly distributed across Canada, with the majority residing in Ontario and Quebec, reflecting long-established settlement patterns and more recent immigration trends. Ontario has the largest Arab population in absolute numbers, while Quebec has the highest proportion of Arab residents relative to its total population.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, Ontario is home to 284,215 people of Arab ancestry, followed closely by Quebec with 280,080. Together, these two provinces account for more than 80% of Canada’s total Arab population. Alberta ranks third, with a sizable Arab community concentrated mainly in Calgary and Edmonton.
In percentage terms, Quebec leads all provinces, with 3.37% of its population identifying as Arab, followed by Ontario (2.03%) and Alberta (1.66%). Smaller provinces and territories have comparatively modest Arab populations, though some Atlantic provinces show a higher share relative to their population size.
Arab Population by Province and Territory (2021 Census)
| # | Province | Population 2021 | % of Total |
| 1 | Alberta | 69,510 | 1.66% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 28,010 | 0.57% |
| 3 | Manitoba | 7,815 | 0.60% |
| 4 | New Brunswick | 5,055 | 0.67% |
| 5 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 1,745 | 0.35% |
| 6 | Northwest Territories | 225 | 0.56% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 10,605 | 1.11% |
| 8 | Nunavut | 35 | 0.10% |
| 9 | Ontario | 284,215 | 2.03% |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 1,130 | 0.75% |
| 11 | Quebec | 280,080 | 3.37% |
| 12 | Saskatchewan | 5,575 | 0.51% |
| 13 | Yukon | 20 | 0.05% |
| Canada | 694,020 | 1.91% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2021
also read about: Top Cities in Ontario by Population
Arab population by Metropolitan Area in Canada
Arab Canadians are highly concentrated in Canada’s largest metropolitan areas, particularly in Quebec and Ontario, where long-standing communities and recent immigration patterns overlap. The Montreal metropolitan area has the largest Arab population in Canada, making it the primary urban hub for Arab communities nationwide.
Based on the 2021 Canadian Census, the Montreal CMA is home to 246,150 people of Arab ancestry, representing 5.85% of the region’s total population. This is followed by the Toronto CMA with 129,310 Arab residents, and the Ottawa–Gatineau CMA, which has a significant Arab presence on both the Ontario and Quebec sides of the metropolitan region.
Several mid-sized metropolitan areas—such as Windsor, London, Calgary, and Edmonton—also report relatively high concentrations of Arab residents, underscoring the community’s presence beyond Canada’s largest cities.
Top Metropolitan Areas by Arab Population (2021 Census)
| # | Metropolitan Area (CMA) | Province(s) | Population (2021) | % of CMA Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montreal | Quebec | 246,150 | 5.85% |
| 2 | Toronto | Ontario | 129,310 | 2.11% |
| 3 | Ottawa–Gatineau | Ontario / Quebec | 69,205 | 4.73% |
| 4 | Calgary | Alberta | 32,455 | 2.22% |
| 5 | Edmonton | Alberta | 31,965 | 2.29% |
| 6 | Windsor | Ontario | 25,885 | 6.23% |
| 7 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 22,445 | 0.86% |
| 8 | London | Ontario | 22,290 | 4.16% |
| 9 | Hamilton | Ontario | 19,725 | 2.55% |
| 10 | Québec City | Quebec | 11,075 | 1.36% |
| 11 | Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo | Ontario | 10,965 | 1.93% |
| 12 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 9,495 | 2.06% |
| 13 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 7,155 | 0.87% |
| 14 | St. Catharines–Niagara | Ontario | 3,450 | 0.81% |
| 15 | Oshawa | Ontario | 3,170 | 0.77% |
| 16 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 3,050 | 0.98% |
| 17 | Sherbrooke | Quebec | 2,970 | 1.35% |
| 18 | Regina | Saskatchewan | 2,005 | 0.82% |
| 19 | Victoria | British Columbia | 1,980 | 0.51% |
| 20 | Moncton | New Brunswick | 1,790 | 1.16% |
also read about: Toronto Population
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Arab Canadians
Who are Arab Canadians?
Arab Canadians are people living in Canada who identify their ancestry or ethnic origin as Arab, tracing their roots to the Arab world in the Middle East and North Africa. This includes individuals and families with origins in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Iraq, Algeria, Palestine, and other Arab nations.
How many Arab Canadians are there in Canada?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 694,020 people reported Arab ancestry, accounting for approximately 1.91% of Canada’s total population.
Which province has the largest Arab population in Canada?
Ontario has the largest Arab population by absolute numbers, with 284,215 people of Arab ancestry. However, Quebec has the highest percentage, where 3.37% of the provincial population identifies as Arab.
Which city has the largest Arab population in Canada?
The Montreal metropolitan area has the largest Arab population in Canada, with 246,150 residents of Arab ancestry, making it the country’s main urban centre for Arab communities.
What is the largest Arab ethnic subgroup in Canada?
Lebanese Canadians form the largest Arab subgroup in Canada, with 210,605 census responses in 2021, followed by Egyptians, Moroccans, and Syrians.
When did Arab immigration to Canada begin?
Arab immigration to Canada began in the late 19th century, primarily from Lebanon and Syria. Larger waves occurred after the 1970s, driven by economic migration, family reunification, and refugee movements related to political conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.
Are Arab Canadians concentrated only in large cities?
While most Arab Canadians live in major metropolitan areas such as Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa–Gatineau, notable communities also exist in mid-sized cities like Windsor, London, Calgary, and Edmonton, often with relatively high local population shares.
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