> > Home >> Canada >> Ethnic Origin >> Nova Scotia
Ethnic Origin in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, the seventh-largest Canadian province by population, has a racially and ethnically diverse population. Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural roots of a person’s ancestors. According to the 2021 Census, over 250 ethnic origins were reported in Nova Scotia. The most frequently reported origins are Scottish, English, Irish, and French.
European origins dominate the province, accounting for 84.7% of the population. Indigenous peoples make up 5.5%, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
About 9.8% of Nova Scotia’s population identifies as a visible minority, with the main communities being Black, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Latino, and Arab.
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
read about Population of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Population by Ethnic Origin
European origins dominate Nova Scotia, accounting for 84.7% of the population. The most frequently reported ethnic origins are Scottish, English, Irish, and French.
Top 50 ethnic origins in Nova Scotia
| # | Ethnic Origin | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottish | 257,200 | 26.91% |
| 2 | English | 217,915 | 22.80% |
| 3 | Irish | 195,660 | 20.47% |
| 4 | Canadian | 151,300 | 15.83% |
| 5 | French origins | 113,830 | 11.91% |
| 6 | German | 86,860 | 9.09% |
| 7 | Acadian | 49,200 | 5.15% |
| 8 | First Nations (North American Indian) | 40,720 | 4.26% |
| 9 | British Isles | 32,180 | 3.37% |
| 10 | Dutch | 27,375 | 2.86% |
| 11 | Nova Scotian | 25,500 | 2.67% |
| 12 | Mi’kmaq origins | 22,105 | 2.31% |
| 13 | Métis | 18,310 | 1.92% |
| 14 | Welsh | 18,140 | 1.90% |
| 15 | Italian | 16,575 | 1.73% |
| 16 | Indian (India) | 14,310 | 1.50% |
| 17 | Chinese | 11,520 | 1.21% |
| 18 | Polish | 11,295 | 1.18% |
| 19 | Ukrainian | 9,625 | 1.01% |
| 20 | African | 8,335 | 0.87% |
| 21 | Cape Bretoner | 7,830 | 0.82% |
| 22 | Newfoundlander | 7,540 | 0.79% |
| 23 | Lebanese | 7,285 | 0.76% |
| 24 | American | 6,875 | 0.72% |
| 25 | French Canadian | 6,065 | 0.63% |
| 26 | Norwegian | 6,010 | 0.63% |
| 27 | Filipino | 5,790 | 0.61% |
| 28 | Russian | 4,490 | 0.47% |
| 29 | Black | 4,420 | 0.46% |
| 30 | Swedish | 4,060 | 0.42% |
| 31 | Spanish | 4,015 | 0.42% |
| 32 | African Nova Scotian | 3,810 | 0.40% |
| 33 | Danish | 3,730 | 0.39% |
| 34 | Jewish | 3,655 | 0.38% |
| 35 | Arab | 3,450 | 0.36% |
| 36 | Greek | 3,180 | 0.33% |
| 37 | Portuguese | 2,990 | 0.31% |
| 38 | Hungarian | 2,985 | 0.31% |
| 39 | Belgian | 2,975 | 0.31% |
| 40 | Swiss | 2,905 | 0.30% |
| 41 | Syrian | 2,650 | 0.28% |
| 42 | Korean | 2,550 | 0.27% |
| 43 | Celtic | 2,110 | 0.22% |
| 44 | Austrian | 1,995 | 0.21% |
| 45 | Jamaican | 1,860 | 0.19% |
| 46 | Inuit origins | 1,855 | 0.19% |
| 47 | Québécois | 1,820 | 0.19% |
| 48 | Punjabi | 1,720 | 0.18% |
| 49 | Hindu | 1,500 | 0.16% |
| 50 | Ontarian | 1,400 | 0.15% |
Note: Since responses are based on self-identification, individuals may report multiple origins. The total may exceed 100%. “Canadian” is included as an ethnic group for ancestral reporting purposes.
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
Visible minorities in Nova Scotia
The visible minority population in Nova Scotia is smaller compared to larger provinces, but it has been steadily growing due to migration. According to the 2021 Census, 9.8% of Nova Scotia’s population belongs to visible minority groups. The main communities include Black, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Arab, and Latin American populations.
Largest Visible Minority Groups (2021)
| # | Visible minority Group | Pop. 2021 | % of Total Pop. |
| 1 | Black | 28220 | 2.95% |
| 2 | South Asian | 21650 | 2.26% |
| 3 | Chinese | 11595 | 1.21% |
| 4 | Arab | 10605 | 1.11% |
| 5 | Filipino | 6615 | 0.69% |
| 6 | Latin American | 2910 | 0.30% |
| 7 | Korean | 2840 | 0.30% |
| 8 | Southeast Asian | 2405 | 0.25% |
| 9 | West Asian | 1875 | 0.20% |
| 10 | Japanese | 985 | 0.10% |
| 11 | Others | 970 | 0.10% |
| 12 | Multiple visible minorities | 2750 | 0.29% |
| Total | 93430 | 9.77% |
Indigenous population in Nova Scotia
Indigenous peoples make up 5.5% of Nova Scotia’s population. Major groups include Mi’kmaq, First Nations, and Métis communities.
Indigenous Population by Group in Nova Scotia (2021)
| Aboriginal Group | Population 2021 | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Mi’kmaq | 20,900 | 2.19% |
| First Nations (Other) | 16,850 | 1.76% |
| Métis | 14,350 | 1.50% |
| Inuit | 510 | 0.05% |
| Multiple / Others | 1,430 | 0.15% |
Total Indigenous population: ~53,040 (5.5%)
Source: Statistics Canada 2021Key Highlights – Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is the 7th-largest Canadian province by population with a racially and ethnically diverse population.
European origins dominate, accounting for 84.7% of the population; the most common are Scottish, English, Irish, and French.
Visible minority population: ~9.8% of residents, mainly Black, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino, Arab, and Latin American communities.
Indigenous population: ~5.5%, primarily Mi’kmaq, First Nations, and Métis groups.
The province has 250+ reported ethnic origins, reflecting deep ancestral and cultural diversity.
“Canadian” as an ethnic group is included in the census for ancestral reporting, though many respondents identify as European or visible minority.
English
Español
Português
Deutsch