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Ethnic Origin in Alberta
Alberta, the fourth-largest province in Canada by population, has a highly diverse racial and ethnic composition shaped by immigration and Indigenous heritage. Ethnic origin refers to the cultural or ancestral roots of a person’s ancestors, as reported in the Canadian Census. According to census data, over 250 ethnic origins have been reported by residents of Alberta, highlighting the province’s multicultural character.
People of European origin form the majority, accounting for approximately 65.4% of Alberta’s population. English is the most frequently reported ethnic origin, followed by German and Scottish, reflecting Alberta’s historical settlement patterns. Other notable European ancestries include Irish, French, Ukrainian, and Dutch.
Indigenous peoples make up about 6.8% of Alberta’s population, consisting mainly of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. In addition, nearly 27.8% of Alberta’s residents belong to visible minority groups, with South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, and Arab populations being the most prominent. Together, these groups illustrate Alberta’s evolving demographic landscape and its role as a major destination for migration within Canada.
read about: Population of Alberta
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
Alberta Population by Ethnic Origin
People of European ancestry form the majority of Alberta’s population, accounting for approximately 65.4% of residents. The most frequently reported ethnic origins in Alberta are English, German, Scottish, and Irish, reflecting long-standing European settlement patterns in the province. Other prominent European backgrounds include Ukrainian, French, Polish, Dutch, and Scandinavian origins.
In addition to European roots, Alberta has a strong Indigenous presence, with First Nations and Métis communities ranking among the top reported ethnic origins. Asian origins such as Filipino, Chinese, and Indian also represent a significant share of the population, highlighting Alberta’s growing multicultural profile driven by immigration and interprovincial migration.
Below is a list of the largest ethnic origins in Alberta based on the 2021 Census, ranked by total responses.
Top Ethnic Origins in Alberta (2021 Census)
| # | Origins | Numbers 2021 | Percentage |
| 1 | English | 766,070 | 18.34% |
| 2 | German | 641,025 | 15.34% |
| 3 | Scottish | 631,020 | 15.10% |
| 4 | Irish | 561,910 | 13.45% |
| 5 | Canadian | 484,655 | 11.60% |
| 6 | Ukrainian | 343,640 | 8.23% |
| 7 | French origins | 341,760 | 8.18% |
| 8 | Filipino | 203,955 | 4.88% |
| 9 | First Nations (North American Indian) | 188,315 | 4.51% |
| 10 | Chinese | 177,990 | 4.26% |
| 11 | Dutch | 174,625 | 4.18% |
| 12 | Polish | 169,925 | 4.07% |
| 13 | Indian (India) | 155,700 | 3.73% |
| 14 | Norwegian | 154,535 | 3.70% |
| 15 | British Isles | 124,835 | 2.99% |
| 16 | Métis | 115,455 | 2.76% |
| 17 | Italian | 98,725 | 2.36% |
| 18 | Russian | 97,890 | 2.34% |
| 19 | Swedish | 92,975 | 2.23% |
| 20 | Welsh | 76,810 | 1.84% |
| 21 | American | 66,100 | 1.58% |
| 22 | Danish | 56,190 | 1.34% |
| 23 | Hungarian | 51,360 | 1.23% |
| 24 | Spanish | 40,165 | 0.96% |
| 25 | Pakistani | 39,535 | 0.95% |
| 26 | Vietnamese | 39,395 | 0.94% |
| 27 | Punjabi | 37,585 | 0.90% |
| 28 | Austrian | 36,225 | 0.87% |
| 29 | African | 34,220 | 0.82% |
| 30 | French Canadian | 32,370 | 0.77% |
| 31 | Mennonite | 31,565 | 0.76% |
| 32 | Romanian | 31,525 | 0.75% |
| 33 | Sikh | 28,860 | 0.69% |
| 34 | Lebanese | 28,480 | 0.68% |
| 35 | Albertan | 26,600 | 0.64% |
| 36 | Mexican | 25,450 | 0.61% |
| 37 | Korean | 24,170 | 0.58% |
| 38 | Arab | 23,860 | 0.57% |
| 39 | Swiss | 22,450 | 0.54% |
| 40 | Belgian | 21,985 | 0.53% |
| 41 | Portuguese | 21,415 | 0.51% |
| 42 | Hindu | 20,535 | 0.49% |
| 43 | Czech | 19,730 | 0.47% |
| 44 | Icelandic | 19,720 | 0.47% |
| 45 | Finnish | 18,705 | 0.45% |
| 46 | Japanese | 18,605 | 0.45% |
| 47 | Somali | 16,310 | 0.39% |
| 48 | Jamaican | 15,620 | 0.37% |
| 49 | Nigerian | 14,600 | 0.35% |
| 50 | Jewish | 14,405 | 0.34% |
Other 200+ ethnic origin groups were also reported across the province. Since census data is based on self-identification, individuals may report multiple ethnic origins, meaning percentages can add up to more than 100%. For example, a person may identify as both Indian and Punjabi.
Note on “Canadian” Ethnic Origin:
The term “Canadian” has been included as a possible ethnic origin in census questionnaires since 1996. Respondents who select this category are generally of European descent (Anglophone or Francophone) and may no longer identify with their ancestral origins due to generational distance.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
Visible Minorities in Alberta
Over the past few decades, immigration and interprovincial migration have significantly increased the size of Alberta’s visible minority population. According to the 2021 Census, visible minorities account for 27.8% of Alberta’s total population, reflecting the province’s growing cultural and racial diversity.
Visible Minority Population in Alberta
Nearly one in four Albertans belongs to a visible minority group. The largest visible minority communities in Alberta are South Asian, Filipino, Black, Chinese, and Arab, followed by Latin American, Southeast Asian, and West Asian populations. These communities are concentrated primarily in major urban centres such as Calgary and Edmonton, where economic opportunities continue to attract newcomers.
Largest Visible Minority Groups in Alberta (2021 Census)
| # | Visible minority Groups | Numbers | Percentage |
| 1 | South Asian | 297,650 | 7.12% |
| 2 | Filipino | 216,710 | 5.19% |
| 3 | Black | 177,945 | 4.26% |
| 4 | Chinese | 164,230 | 3.93% |
| 5 | Arab | 69,510 | 1.66% |
| 6 | Latin American | 66,515 | 1.59% |
| 7 | Southeast Asian | 54,005 | 1.29% |
| 8 | West Asian | 25,080 | 0.60% |
| 9 | Korean | 24,370 | 0.58% |
| 10 | Japanese | 13,555 | 0.32% |
| 11 | Multiple visible minorities | 39,745 | 0.95% |
| 12 | Visible minority others | 12,105 | 0.29% |
| Total | 1,161,420 | 27.80% |
Visible minority data is based on self-reported identity as defined under Canada’s Employment Equity Act. Individuals may identify with more than one visible minority group, which can cause totals to slightly differ when aggregated.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
Indigenous population in Alberta
Indigenous Peoples form a significant and historically rooted part of Alberta’s population. According to the 2021 Census, approximately 6.8% of Alberta’s total population identifies as Indigenous, making it one of the provinces with the largest Indigenous populations in Canada.
Indigenous Population Breakdown in Alberta
The Indigenous population in Alberta consists primarily of First Nations and Métis communities, with a smaller Inuit population. These communities are spread across both urban and rural areas, reflecting Alberta’s deep Indigenous heritage and long-standing cultural presence.
Indigenous Groups in Alberta (2021 Census)
| Aboriginal group | Population | Percent |
| First Nations | 145,640 | 3.5% |
| Métis | 127,470 | 3.1% |
| Inuit | 2,945 | 0.10% |
| Aboriginal, others | 4,785 | 0.10% |
| Multiple Aboriginal identity | 3,620 | 0.10% |
| Total Aboriginal population | 284,470 | 6.8% |
Indigenous identity is self-reported in the census. Some individuals identify with multiple Indigenous groups, which may result in totals exceeding 100% when categories are combined.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
Key Highlights – Alberta Ethnic & Racial Composition
European ancestry dominates Alberta’s population, accounting for 65.4%, with English, German, Scottish, and Irish being the most reported ethnic origins.
Visible minorities make up 27.8% of Alberta’s population, led by South Asian, Filipino, Black, and Chinese communities.
Indigenous Peoples represent 6.8% of Alberta’s population, one of the highest proportions among Canadian provinces, primarily First Nations and Métis.
More than 250 ethnic origins were reported in Alberta, reflecting strong multicultural diversity driven by immigration.
Urban centres like Calgary and Edmonton have significantly higher visible minority populations compared to rural areas.
Census ethnic origin data is based on self-identification, meaning individuals may report multiple ancestries, causing totals to exceed 100%.
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