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Ethnic Origin in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador, the ninth-largest Canadian province by population, has a population shaped largely by European ancestry alongside growing Indigenous and immigrant communities. Ethnic origin refers to the cultural or ancestral background of a person’s forebears, as reported in the census.
According to the 2021 Census, the most commonly reported ethnic origins in Newfoundland and Labrador are English, followed by Canadian and Irish, reflecting the province’s strong historical ties to the British Isles.
People of European origin account for about 87.4% of the population, forming a clear majority. The Indigenous population represents approximately 9.2%, with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit being the primary Indigenous groups. In addition, around 3.3% of residents belong to visible minority groups, mainly South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, and Arab communities. Together, these groups highlight the province’s evolving demographic profile.
Also read: Population of Newfoundland and Labrador
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
Newfoundland and Labrador Population by Ethnic Origin
Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural backgrounds of a person’s ancestors, as self-reported in the census. According to the 2021 Census, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador reported over 250 distinct ethnic origins, highlighting both deep historical roots and a modest but growing diversity.
People of European origin dominate the population at approximately 87.4%, reflecting the province’s long-standing settlement patterns linked to the British Isles and Ireland. The most frequently reported ethnic origins are English, Canadian, Irish, and First Nations, underscoring the province’s strong Anglo-Irish heritage alongside a significant Indigenous presence.
Indigenous identities—particularly First Nations, Mi’kmaq, Inuit, and Métis—form a notable share of reported origins, while smaller but increasing populations identify with Asian, African, and Middle Eastern ancestries. As with other Canadian provinces, individuals may report multiple ethnic origins, meaning totals can exceed 100%.
Race and Ethnicity in Newfoundland and Labrador (2021 Census)
| # | Race and Origin | Pop. 2021 | Percentage |
| 1 | English | 175,045 | 34.86% |
| 2 | Canadian | 125,120 | 24.92% |
| 3 | Irish | 122,115 | 24.32% |
| 4 | First Nations (North American Indian) | 40,415 | 8.05% |
| 5 | Newfoundlander | 34,635 | 6.90% |
| 6 | Scottish | 33,270 | 6.63% |
| 7 | Mi’kmaq origins | 26,090 | 5.20% |
| 8 | French origins | 23,035 | 4.59% |
| 9 | French, n.o.s. 42 | 22,925 | 4.57% |
| 10 | Mi’kmaq, n.o.s. 26 | 18,875 | 3.76% |
| 11 | British Isles, n.o.s. 40 | 18,310 | 3.65% |
| 12 | Inuit origins | 10,245 | 2.04% |
| 13 | German | 7,335 | 1.46% |
| 14 | Qalipu Mi’kmaq | 7,225 | 1.44% |
| 15 | Métis | 6,715 | 1.34% |
| 16 | Welsh | 5,745 | 1.14% |
| 17 | Indian (India) | 2,765 | 0.55% |
| 18 | Innu origins | 2,405 | 0.48% |
| 19 | Italian | 2,295 | 0.46% |
| 20 | Chinese | 2,265 | 0.45% |
| 21 | Filipino | 2,255 | 0.45% |
| 22 | American | 2,180 | 0.43% |
| 23 | Norwegian | 1,840 | 0.37% |
| 24 | Dutch | 1,830 | 0.36% |
| 25 | Ukrainian | 1,505 | 0.30% |
| 26 | Polish | 1,290 | 0.26% |
| 27 | Portuguese | 1,215 | 0.24% |
| 28 | Spanish | 1,160 | 0.23% |
| 29 | Acadian | 1,100 | 0.22% |
| 30 | Swedish | 1,030 | 0.21% |
| 31 | Inuit origins, n.i.e. 37 | 875 | 0.17% |
| 32 | Arab, n.o.s. 89 | 830 | 0.17% |
| 33 | Lebanese | 775 | 0.15% |
| 34 | French Canadian | 720 | 0.14% |
| 35 | African, n.o.s. 66 | 720 | 0.14% |
| 36 | Danish | 690 | 0.14% |
| 37 | Russian | 680 | 0.14% |
| 38 | Jewish | 550 | 0.11% |
| 39 | Bangladeshi | 545 | 0.11% |
| 40 | Iranian | 430 | 0.09% |
| 41 | Nigerian | 425 | 0.08% |
| 42 | Egyptian | 390 | 0.08% |
| 43 | Cree origins | 370 | 0.07% |
| 44 | Greek | 365 | 0.07% |
| 45 | Celtic, n.o.s. 56 | 350 | 0.07% |
| 46 | Syrian | 335 | 0.07% |
| 47 | Anishinaabe origins | 330 | 0.07% |
| 48 | Austrian | 325 | 0.06% |
| 49 | Hungarian | 325 | 0.06% |
| 50 | Yoruba | 325 | 0.06% |
+ 200 more ethnic origin groups reported
Note: “Canadian” and “Newfoundlander” have been included as ethnic origin options since 1996. These responses are most commonly reported by individuals of European descent who no longer identify with specific ancestral origins due to generational distance from their original lineage.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021
Visible Minorities in Newfoundland and Labrador
According to the 2021 Census, visible minorities make up a small but gradually growing share of Newfoundland and Labrador’s population, reflecting recent immigration trends. Approximately 3.3% of residents identify as belonging to a visible minority group, making it one of the least diverse provinces in Canada in visible minority terms.
Among visible minority communities, South Asians and Black populations are the largest groups, followed by Filipino, Chinese, Arab, and Latin American communities. While the absolute numbers remain modest compared to larger provinces, these groups contribute to the province’s increasing cultural diversity, particularly in urban centres such as St. John’s.
Visible Minority Population in Newfoundland and Labrador (2021)
| # | Visible Minority Group | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Asian | 4,550 | 0.91% |
| 2 | Black | 3,590 | 0.71% |
| 3 | Filipino | 2,265 | 0.45% |
| 4 | Chinese | 2,000 | 0.40% |
| 5 | Arab | 1,745 | 0.35% |
| 6 | Latin American | 750 | 0.15% |
| 7 | West Asian | 550 | 0.11% |
| 8 | Southeast Asian | 510 | 0.10% |
| 9 | Korean | 220 | 0.04% |
| 10 | Japanese | 80 | 0.02% |
| 11 | Other visible minorities | 205 | 0.04% |
| 12 | Multiple visible minorities | 400 | 0.08% |
| Total Visible Minority Population | 16,855 | 3.36% |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021
Indigenous Population in Newfoundland and Labrador
According to the 2021 Census, approximately 9.2% of Newfoundland and Labrador’s population identifies as Indigenous, making it one of the provinces with a notably higher Indigenous share compared to most of Canada.
The Indigenous population is primarily composed of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, with First Nations forming the largest group, followed closely by Métis and Inuit communities. The province has a distinct Indigenous presence, particularly among Mi’kmaq and Inuit populations, reflecting its unique historical and cultural heritage.
Indigenous Population of Newfoundland and Labrador (2021)
| Aboriginal Group | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| First Nations | 28,435 | 5.66% |
| Métis | 7,335 | 1.46% |
| Inuit | 7,330 | 1.46% |
| Aboriginal others | 2,765 | 0.55% |
| Multiple Aboriginal identities | 685 | 0.10% |
| Total Indigenous Population | 46,545 | 9.2% |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021
Key Highlights
European origins dominate Newfoundland and Labrador, accounting for nearly 87.4% of the province’s population.
English, Canadian, and Irish ancestries are the most commonly reported ethnic origins in the province.
Indigenous peoples make up about 9.2% of the population, with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit forming significant communities.
Visible minorities represent a small but growing share of the population at approximately 3.3%, led by South Asian, Black, Filipino, and Chinese groups.
Ethnic origin data is based on self-reported responses, meaning individuals may identify with multiple ancestries, causing totals to exceed 100%.
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