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Ethnic Origin in New Brunswick
New Brunswick, the eighth-largest Canadian province by population, has a racially and ethnically diverse population. Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of a respondent’s ancestors. According to the 2021 Census, around 250 ethnic origins were reported in New Brunswick.
The most commonly reported ethnic origin in New Brunswick is Canadian, followed by Irish, English, and French.
People of European origin make up the majority of the population at 89.8%. The Indigenous population accounts for approximately 4.4% of New Brunswick’s population, primarily consisting of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
Visible minorities represent about 5.5% of the population. The main visible minority groups in New Brunswick include Black, South Asian, Filipino, Arab, Chinese, and Latin American communities.
👉 Also read about the Population of New Brunswick
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021
New Brunswick Population by Ethnic Origin
European origin is the most prevalent in New Brunswick, accounting for approximately 89.8% of the province’s population. The ethnic origin most often reported in New Brunswick is Canadian, followed by Irish, English, Scottish, and French, reflecting the province’s long-standing British and French colonial heritage.
The data also highlights a strong Acadian and French presence, particularly in northern and eastern New Brunswick, where Acadian identity remains culturally significant. Indigenous origins, including First Nations and Mi’kmaq, form an important part of the province’s ethnic composition, while recent immigration has contributed to the gradual growth of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern ancestry groups.
Below are the top ethnic origins in New Brunswick based on the 2021 Census:
Top Ethnic Origins in New Brunswick (2021)
| # | Race | Pop. 2021 | % of Total |
| 1 | Canadian | 174,905 | 23.04% |
| 2 | Irish | 155,920 | 20.54% |
| 3 | English | 137,145 | 18.06% |
| 4 | Scottish | 134,355 | 17.70% |
| 5 | French origins | 118,535 | 15.61% |
| 6 | Acadian | 108,375 | 14.27% |
| 7 | German | 33,205 | 4.37% |
| 8 | First Nations (North American Indian) | 31,855 | 4.20% |
| 9 | New Brunswicker | 22,365 | 2.95% |
| 10 | French Canadian | 18,650 | 2.46% |
| 11 | British Isles | 16,625 | 2.19% |
| 12 | Dutch | 13,310 | 1.75% |
| 13 | Mi’kmaq origins | 12,800 | 1.69% |
| 14 | Welsh | 11,500 | 1.51% |
| 15 | Métis | 9,445 | 1.24% |
| 16 | Italian | 8,250 | 1.09% |
| 17 | American | 7,185 | 0.95% |
| 18 | Indian (India) | 5,655 | 0.74% |
| 19 | Québécois | 5,415 | 0.71% |
| 20 | Filipino | 4,960 | 0.65% |
| 21 | Chinese | 4,605 | 0.61% |
| 22 | Ukrainian | 4,600 | 0.61% |
| 23 | Danish | 4,170 | 0.55% |
| 24 | Polish | 3,815 | 0.50% |
| 25 | Norwegian | 3,640 | 0.48% |
| 26 | Lebanese | 3,440 | 0.45% |
| 27 | African | 3,260 | 0.43% |
| 28 | Spanish | 3,060 | 0.40% |
| 29 | Maliseet | 2,980 | 0.39% |
| 30 | Swedish | 2,710 | 0.36% |
| 31 | Russian | 2,600 | 0.34% |
| 32 | Newfoundlander | 2,385 | 0.31% |
| 33 | Portuguese | 2,095 | 0.28% |
| 34 | Arab | 1,955 | 0.26% |
| 35 | Syrian | 1,840 | 0.24% |
| 36 | Jewish | 1,690 | 0.22% |
| 37 | Nova Scotian | 1,675 | 0.22% |
| 38 | Belgian | 1,500 | 0.20% |
| 39 | Korean | 1,480 | 0.19% |
| 40 | Hungarian | 1,375 | 0.18% |
| 41 | Vietnamese | 1,295 | 0.17% |
| 42 | Greek | 1,265 | 0.17% |
| 43 | Black | 1,120 | 0.15% |
| 44 | Inuit origins | 1,025 | 0.14% |
| 45 | Romanian | 1,020 | 0.13% |
| 46 | Swiss | 995 | 0.13% |
| 47 | Mexican | 990 | 0.13% |
| 48 | Austrian | 940 | 0.12% |
| 49 | Finnish | 850 | 0.11% |
| 50 | Egyptian | 840 | 0.11% |
+ 200 more ethnic origin groups reported
Note: Since ethnic origin responses are based on self-identification, individuals may report multiple ancestries. As a result, percentages can add up to more than 100%.
“Canadian” and “New Brunswicker” have been included as ethnic origin options since 1996. These responses are generally reported by individuals of European descent (both Anglophone and Francophone) who no longer identify strongly with their ancestral origins due to generational distance from original settlement patterns.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021
also read: Ethnic Origin in Canada
Visible minorities in New Brunswick
Over the past few decades, New Brunswick has seen a gradual increase in its visible minority population, largely driven by immigration and interprovincial migration. According to the 2021 Census, approximately 5.8% of New Brunswick’s population belongs to a visible minority group.
Among visible minorities, Black communities form the largest group, followed by South Asian, Filipino, Arab, and Chinese populations. While New Brunswick remains one of the least diverse provinces in Canada, the steady growth of visible minorities reflects the province’s evolving demographic landscape.
Visible Minority Population in New Brunswick (2021)
| # | Visible Minority Group | Population | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | 12,155 | 1.60% |
| 2 | South Asian | 8,630 | 1.14% |
| 3 | Filipino | 5,190 | 0.68% |
| 4 | Arab | 5,055 | 0.67% |
| 5 | Chinese | 4,090 | 0.54% |
| 6 | Latin American | 2,455 | 0.32% |
| 7 | Southeast Asian | 1,895 | 0.25% |
| 8 | Korean | 1,650 | 0.22% |
| 9 | West Asian | 915 | 0.12% |
| 10 | Japanese | 250 | 0.03% |
| 11 | Visible minority, n.i.e. | 550 | 0.07% |
| 12 | Multiple visible minorities | 1,370 | 0.18% |
| Total Visible Minority Population | 44,205 | 5.82% |
Note: Visible minority status is based on self-identification under the Employment Equity Act. Individuals may identify with more than one visible minority group, so totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021
also read: religion in New Brunswick
Inigenious Population in New Brunswick
Indigenous peoples make up a significant part of New Brunswick’s demographic composition. According to the 2021 Census, approximately 4.4% of the province’s population identifies as Indigenous.
The Indigenous population in New Brunswick consists primarily of First Nations, followed by Métis and Inuit communities. These groups contribute to the province’s cultural heritage, history, and social fabric, with strong representation across both urban and rural areas.
Indigenous Population in New Brunswick (2021)
| Aboriginal Group | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| First Nations | 20,960 | 2.7% |
| Métis | 10,170 | 1.4% |
| Inuit | 685 | 0.1% |
| Indigenous, n.i.e. | 995 | 0.1% |
| Multiple Indigenous identities | 485 | 0.1% |
| Total Indigenous Population | 33,295 | 4.4% |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021
also read: Indigenous population in Canada
Key Highlights: New Brunswick Demographics
European origins dominate, accounting for nearly 89.8% of New Brunswick’s population, with Canadian, Irish, English, Scottish, and French ancestries most commonly reported.
Indigenous peoples make up about 4.4% of the population, primarily from First Nations and Métis communities.
Visible minorities represent around 5.8% of residents, led by Black, South Asian, Filipino, Arab, and Chinese populations.
“Canadian” and “New Brunswicker” are widely reported ethnic identities, reflecting long-established, multi-generational ancestry in the province.
Despite being one of Canada’s least diverse provinces, immigration-driven growth is gradually increasing New Brunswick’s racial and ethnic diversity.
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