> > Canada >> Ethnicity in Canada > >
Ethnic Origin in Canada
Canada is a multicultural nation with a highly diverse racial and ethnic composition. According to the 2021 Census, the largest broad origin groups in Canada are European (52.5%), North American (22.9%), Asian (19.3%), North American Indigenous (6.1%), African (3.8%), Latin, Central and South American (2.5%), Caribbean (2.1%), Oceanian (0.3%), and other origins (6.0%).
Of the 36.3 million people enumerated in 2021, approximately 25.4 million identified as White, representing 69.8% of the population. Indigenous peoples accounted for 6.1% (about 1.8 million people). In addition, 26.5% of Canadians belonged to a non-White and non-Indigenous visible minority group. The largest visible minority populations were South Asian (7.1%), Chinese (4.7%), and Black (4.3%).
Also read: Population of Canada
Canada Ethnic composition
Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of a person’s ancestors, as self-reported in the census. In the 2021 Census, more than 450 ethnic origins were reported across Canada, highlighting the country’s long-standing cultural diversity. The most frequently reported ethnic origin was Canadian, with 5.7 million people (15.6%) identifying with this origin.
Origins from the British Isles were also among the most commonly reported. In particular, English (5.3 million), Irish (4.4 million), and Scottish (4.4 million) origins were frequently cited. French was another major origin, reported by 4.0 million people, while French Canadian was reported by approximately 0.9 million residents.
Several other European origins were reported by large populations. In 2021, German (3.0 million), Italian (1.5 million), and Ukrainian (1.3 million) origins were each reported by over one million people. Dutch and Polish origins were also reported by close to one million Canadians each. Overall, 52.5% of Canada’s population reported European origins, either alone or in combination with other ancestries.
Non-European origins were also widely reported. Among the most common were Indian (from India) with 1.8 million people, Chinese with 1.7 million, and Filipino with 0.9 million, reflecting the impact of
Top Ethnic Origins in Canada (2021)
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021
| # | Origin | Responses (2021) | Percentage |
| 1 | Canadian | 5,677,205 | 15.63% |
| 2 | English | 5,322,825 | 14.65% |
| 3 | French | 4,917,985 | 13.54% |
| 4 | Irish | 4,413,120 | 12.15% |
| 5 | Scottish | 4,392,200 | 12.09% |
| 6 | German | 2,955,695 | 8.14% |
| 7 | Indian (India) | 1,858,755 | 5.12% |
| 8 | Chinese | 1,713,870 | 4.72% |
| 9 | Italian | 1,546,390 | 4.26% |
| 10 | First Nations (North American Indian) origins | 1,426,950 | 3.93% |
| 11 | Ukrainian | 1,258,635 | 3.46% |
| 12 | Dutch | 988,585 | 2.72% |
| 13 | Polish | 982,815 | 2.71% |
| 14 | Filipino | 925,490 | 2.55% |
| 15 | Métis | 560,335 | 1.54% |
| 16 | Russian | 548,145 | 1.51% |
| 17 | Norwegian | 466,495 | 1.28% |
| 18 | Welsh | 455,725 | 1.25% |
| 19 | Portuguese | 448,305 | 1.23% |
| 20 | American | 353,495 | 0.97% |
| 21 | Spanish | 342,045 | 0.94% |
| 22 | Swedish | 334,505 | 0.92% |
| 23 | Hungarian | 320,155 | 0.88% |
| 24 | Acadian | 305,170 | 0.84% |
| 25 | Pakistani | 303,260 | 0.83% |
| 26 | Jewish | 282,015 | 0.78% |
| 27 | Vietnamese | 275,530 | 0.76% |
| 28 | Arabs | 263,710 | 0.73% |
| 29 | Greek | 262,135 | 0.72% |
| 30 | Jamaican | 249,070 | 0.69% |
| 31 | Korean | 217,650 | 0.60% |
| 32 | Romanian | 215,885 | 0.59% |
| 33 | Lebanese | 210,605 | 0.58% |
| 34 | Iranian | 200,465 | 0.55% |
| 35 | Danish | 196,945 | 0.54% |
| 36 | Austrian | 189,535 | 0.52% |
| 37 | Belgian | 182,175 | 0.50% |
| 38 | Haitian | 178,990 | 0.49% |
| 39 | Mexican | 155,495 | 0.43% |
| 40 | Swiss | 145,570 | 0.40% |
| 41 | Finnish | 144,055 | 0.40% |
| 42 | Sri Lankan | 132,410 | 0.36% |
| 43 | Croatian | 130,820 | 0.36% |
| 44 | Japanese | 129,425 | 0.36% |
| 45 | Egyptian | 105,245 | 0.29% |
| 46 | Icelandic | 101,990 | 0.28% |
| 47 | Colombian | 100,555 | 0.28% |
| 48 | Moroccan | 99,980 | 0.28% |
| 49 | Czech | 98,925 | 0.27% |
| 50 | Syrian | 98,250 | 0.27% |
Statistics Canada reports that more than 450 ethnic or cultural origins were self-reported in the 2021 Census. Approximately 35.5% of Canadians reported multiple ethnic origins, which is why totals exceed 100%.
Note: Ethnic origin data are based on self-identification, and individuals may report multiple origins.
Visible minorities in Canada
According to the 2021 Census, approximately 26.5% of Canada’s population belonged to a visible minority group. Visible minority groups in Canada include South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean, and Japanese populations, among others.
In 2021, three visible minority groups each exceeded one million people, together accounting for 16.1% of Canada’s total population. These were South Asian (2.6 million; 7.1%), Chinese (1.7 million; 4.7%), and Black (1.5 million; 4.3%) populations.
Other major visible minority groups included Filipinos (960,000; 2.6%), Arabs (690,000; 1.9%), Latin Americans (580,000; 1.6%), Southeast Asians (390,000; 1.1%), West Asians (360,000; 1.0%), Koreans (220,000; 0.6%), and Japanese (99,000; 0.3%). Individuals who reported multiple visible minority identities represented 0.9% of the total population.
Between 2016 and 2021, all visible minority groups in Canada recorded population growth. The largest absolute increases were observed among the South Asian (+647,000), Black (+349,000), Filipino (+177,000), and Arab (+171,000) populations, while the Japanese population (+6,000) experienced the smallest increase.
Based on Statistics Canada population projections, the visible minority population is expected to continue growing. By 2041, the South Asian population could exceed 5 million, while the Chinese and Black populations may each surpass 3 million, and the Filipino population could grow beyond 2 million.
Visible Minority Population in Canada (Census 2021)
| Visible minority | Population (2021) | Percentage |
| South Asian | 2,571,400 | 7.1% |
| Chinese | 1,715,775 | 4.7% |
| Black | 1,547,865 | 4.3% |
| Filipino | 957,355 | 2.6% |
| Arab | 694,020 | 1.9% |
| Latin American | 580,240 | 1.6% |
| Southeast Asian | 390,340 | 1.1% |
| West Asian | 360,490 | 1.0% |
| Korean | 218,135 | 0.6% |
| Japanese | 129,425 | 0.36% |
| Visible minority others | 172,885 | 0.5% |
| Multiple visible minorities | 331,800 | 0.9% |
| Total visible minority population | 9,639,200 | 26.5% |
Indigenous people in Canada
According to the 2021 Census, approximately 1.8 million people reported Indigenous ancestry, either alone or in combination with other ancestries, representing about 4.97% of Canada’s total population.
Among those reporting Indigenous ancestry, approximately 1.04 million people identified as First Nations, 624,220 identified as Métis, and 70,540 identified as Inuit. A smaller number reported other Indigenous ancestries or multiple Indigenous identities.
The most commonly reported First Nations ancestries were Cree (about 250,000 people), Mi’kmaq (122,000), Ojibway (92,000), and Algonquin (56,000). In addition, approximately 632,000 people reported “First Nations (North American Indian)” ancestry without specifying a particular nation.
Indigenous Population in Canada by Identity (Census 2021)
| Indigenous Identity | Population (2021) | Percentage of Total Population |
|---|---|---|
| First Nations | 1,048,405 | 2.89% |
| Métis | 624,220 | 1.72% |
| Inuit | 70,540 | 0.19% |
| Other Indigenous identities | 35,225 | 0.10% |
| Multiple Indigenous identities | 28,855 | 0.08% |
| Total Indigenous population | 1,807,250 | 4.97% |
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
read in detail: Indigenous population in Canada
Top Ethnic Origins by Province in Canada
The table below shows the most commonly reported ethnic origins by province, based on Census 2016, the most recent census release that provided comparable provincial ethnic origin rankings.
Most Common Ethnic Origins by Province (Census 2016)
| Province | Most Common | Second Most Common | Third Most Common | Other Common Origins |
| Alberta | English (24.9%) | Canadian (21.8%) | German (19.2%) | Scottish, Irish, and French |
| British Columbia | English (27.7%) | Scottish (19.3%) | Canadian (19.1%) | German & Chinese |
| Manitoba | English (21.8%) | German (18.6%) | Canadian (18.5%) | Scottish, Ukrainian, Irish, French & Indigenous |
| New Brunswick | Canadian (50.3%) | French (27.2%) | English (25.9%) | Irish & Scottish |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Canadian (49.0%) | English (43.4%) | Irish (21.8%) | |
| Northwest Territories | North American Indian (37.0%) | Scottish (13.9%) | English (13.7%) | Canadian, Irish & Inuit |
| Nova Scotia | Canadian (39.1%) | Scottish (31.2%) | English (30.8%) | Irish, French, & German |
| Nunavut | Inuit (85.4%) | |||
| Ontario | Canadian (23.3%) | English (23.1%) | Scottish (16.4%) | Irish & French |
| Prince Edward Island | Scottish (39.3%) | Canadian (36.8%) | English (31.1%) | Irish & French |
| Quebec | Canadian (59.1%) | French (29.1%) | Irish (5.5%) | Italian |
| Saskatchewan | German (28.6%) | English (24.9%) | Scottish (18.9%) | Canadian, Irish, Ukrainian, French & Indigenous |
| Yukon | English (28.5%) | Scottish (25.0%), Irish (22.0%) | First Nations (21.8%) | Canadian, German & French |
Ethnic origin data are based on self-reported ancestry. Individuals may report multiple ethnic origins, therefore percentages may total more than 100%. Provincial rankings are based on Census 2016, the latest census with consistent provincial ethnic origin breakdowns.
Source: Census 2016
Ethnic Origin vs Visible Minority vs Indigenous Peoples — Key Differences
In Canadian census data, ethnic origin, visible minority, and Indigenous identity are three separate concepts, each measuring a different aspect of population diversity.
Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of a person’s ancestors. Canadians can report multiple ethnic origins, which is why ethnic origin percentages often add up to more than 100%. For example, someone may report being both Irish and Italian.
Visible minority is a term defined under Canada’s Employment Equity Act and refers to people who are non-White and non-Indigenous. Visible minority status is based on racialized group identification, not ancestry, and each person is counted only once in this category.
Indigenous Peoples refers specifically to individuals who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. This classification is separate from visible minority groups and is based on Indigenous identity or ancestry, depending on the census question.
Summary of Key Differences
| Category | What it Measures | Can Have Multiple Responses? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnic Origin | Ancestral or cultural roots | Yes | English, Indian, Ukrainian |
| Visible Minority | Racialized group (non-White, non-Indigenous) | No | South Asian, Chinese, Black |
| Indigenous Peoples | First Nations, Métis, Inuit identity | Sometimes | Cree, Métis, Inuit |
📌 Important:
A person may report European ethnic origins and still belong to a visible minority group, or report Indigenous ancestry without identifying as Indigenous. This is why population totals and percentages differ across categories.
English
Español
Português
Deutsch