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Ethnic Origin in Quebec
Quebec is the second-most populous province in Canada, with a population of over 8.5 million people. According to the 2021 Census, residents of Quebec reported nearly 250 distinct ethnic origins, reflecting the province’s cultural diversity.
The most commonly reported ethnic origins are Canadian, French, and Irish. People of European origin account for about 81.4% of Quebec’s population. Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) make up 2.5%, while visible minority groups represent 16.1%, including Black, Arab, Latin American, South Asian, and Chinese communities. This breakdown of the Quebec population by ethnic origin highlights how ancestry, immigration, and identity shape the province.
Also read: Population of Quebec
Quebec Population by Ethnic Origin
In the 2021 Census, the most frequently reported ethnic origin in Quebec was Canadian, followed by French, Irish, Italian, and First Nations.
Statistics Canada allows respondents to report multiple ethnic origins. Terms such as “Canadian” and “Québécois” are often used by individuals of European descent who no longer identify with older ancestral origins due to generational distance.
Largest Ethnic Groups in Quebec (2021)
The table below shows the largest ethnic origin groups in Quebec, based on self-reported Census 2021 data. Percentages may exceed 100% due to multiple responses.
| # | Ethnic Origin | Population 2021 | % of the Total Population |
| 1 | Canadian | 2,412,040 | 29.03% |
| 2 | French origins | 1,797,940 | 21.64% |
| 3 | Québécois | 931,940 | 11.22% |
| 4 | French Canadian | 588,810 | 7.09% |
| 5 | Irish | 404,185 | 4.86% |
| 6 | Italian | 316,320 | 3.81% |
| 7 | First Nations (North American Indian) | 288,520 | 3.47% |
| 8 | Scottish | 192,685 | 2.32% |
| 9 | English | 177,710 | 2.14% |
| 10 | Haitian | 156,070 | 1.88% |
| 11 | German | 124,305 | 1.50% |
| 12 | Chinese | 123,985 | 1.49% |
| 13 | Acadian | 83,945 | 1.01% |
| 14 | Moroccan | 81,225 | 0.98% |
| 15 | Lebanese | 78,210 | 0.94% |
| 16 | Spanish | 77,735 | 0.94% |
| 17 | African | 73,930 | 0.89% |
| 18 | Greek | 69,710 | 0.84% |
| 19 | Algerian | 65,865 | 0.79% |
| 20 | Indian (India) | 65,790 | 0.79% |
| 21 | Portuguese | 64,385 | 0.77% |
| 22 | Polish | 63,505 | 0.76% |
| 23 | Jewish | 57,325 | 0.69% |
| 24 | Belgian | 48,380 | 0.58% |
| 25 | Russian | 47,190 | 0.57% |
| 26 | Romanian | 46,765 | 0.56% |
| 27 | American | 46,600 | 0.56% |
| 28 | Vietnamese | 45,570 | 0.55% |
| 29 | Métis | 44,270 | 0.53% |
| 30 | Filipino | 43,580 | 0.52% |
| 31 | Colombian | 39,485 | 0.48% |
| 32 | Ukrainian | 38,685 | 0.47% |
| 33 | British Isles | 38,655 | 0.47% |
| 34 | Berber | 36,540 | 0.44% |
| 35 | Mexican | 34,305 | 0.41% |
| 36 | Syrian | 31,590 | 0.38% |
| 37 | Armenian | 30,720 | 0.37% |
| 38 | Egyptian | 30,240 | 0.36% |
| 39 | Algonquin | 29,880 | 0.36% |
| 40 | Tunisian | 26,015 | 0.31% |
| 41 | Iranian | 25,825 | 0.31% |
| 42 | Innu origins | 24,555 | 0.30% |
| 43 | Congolese | 24,070 | 0.29% |
| 45 | Hungarian | 23,360 | 0.28% |
| 46 | Swiss | 22,980 | 0.28% |
| 47 | Cree origins | 22,935 | 0.28% |
| 48 | Dutch | 22,385 | 0.27% |
| 49 | Mi’kmaq origins | 20,295 | 0.24% |
| 50 | Kabyle | 19,520 | 0.23% |
| 51 | Peruvian | 19,055 | 0.23% |
| 52 | Cameroonian | 18,610 | 0.22% |
| 53 | Inuit origins | 18,020 | 0.22% |
| 54 | Inuit, n.o.s. 36 | 17,970 | 0.22% |
| 55 | Cambodian (Khmer) | 17,600 | 0.21% |
| 56 | Salvadorean | 17,265 | 0.21% |
| 57 | Muslim | 16,665 | 0.20% |
| 58 | Pakistani | 16,645 | 0.20% |
| 59 | Abenaki | 16,400 | 0.20% |
| 60 | Brazilian | 15,775 | 0.19% |
| 61 | Turkish | 15,625 | 0.19% |
| 62 | Breton | 15,500 | 0.19% |
| 63 | Black | 14,505 | 0.17% |
| 64 | Gaspesian | 14,470 | 0.17% |
| 65 | Chilean | 14,420 | 0.17% |
| 66 | Afghan | 13,100 | 0.16% |
| 67 | Huron (Wendat) | 12,745 | 0.15% |
| 68 | Sri Lankan | 12,400 | 0.15% |
| 69 | Ivorian | 11,565 | 0.14% |
| 70 | Jamaican | 11,395 | 0.14% |
| 71 | Welsh | 11,260 | 0.14% |
| 72 | Norman | 11,120 | 0.13% |
| 73 | Bangladeshi | 11,075 | 0.13% |
| 74 | Austrian | 11,035 | 0.13% |
| 75 | Dominican | 10,875 | 0.13% |
| 76 | Korean | 10,655 | 0.13% |
| 77 | Guatemalan | 10,370 | 0.12% |
| 78 | Cuban | 10,285 | 0.12% |
| 79 | North African | 10,285 | 0.12% |
| 81 | Moldovan | 9,600 | 0.12% |
| 82 | Bulgarian | 9,500 | 0.11% |
| 83 | African Caribbean | 9,305 | 0.11% |
| 84 | Hindu | 8,930 | 0.11% |
| 85 | Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) | 8,890 | 0.11% |
| 86 | Punjabi | 8,765 | 0.11% |
| 87 | Venezuelan | 8,690 | 0.10% |
| 88 | Atikamekw | 8,270 | 0.10% |
| 89 | Norwegian | 8,215 | 0.10% |
| 90 | Persian | 8,190 | 0.10% |
| 91 | Senegalese | 8,045 | 0.10% |
| 92 | Burundian | 7,640 | 0.09% |
| 93 | Tamil | 7,610 | 0.09% |
| 94 | Laotian | 7,485 | 0.09% |
| 95 | Japanese | 7,460 | 0.09% |
| 96 | Western European | 7,000 | 0.08% |
| 97 | Swedish | 6,970 | 0.08% |
| 98 | Croatian | 6,790 | 0.08% |
| 99 | Israeli | 6,750 | 0.08% |
| 100 | Mohawk | 6,635 | 0.08% |
In total, more than 200 ethnic origin groups were reported across Quebec.
Source: Statistics Canada – Census 2021 (Ethnic Origin)
Also read: Quebec Cities by population
Visible Minority and Indigenous Population in Quebec
The visible minority population in Quebec has experienced significant growth due to increased migration in recent times. According to the 2021 Census, 16.1% of Quebec’s population belongs to a visible minority group, while Indigenous peoples account for 2.5% of the population.
Visible minority populations
The largest visible minority group in Quebec is Black, followed by Arab and Latin American populations.
| # | Visible minority Groups | Population | % of Total Population |
| 1 | Black | 422,405 | 5.08% |
| 2 | Arab | 280,080 | 3.37% |
| 3 | Latin American | 172,920 | 2.08% |
| 4 | South Asian | 127,995 | 1.54% |
| 5 | Chinese | 115,235 | 1.39% |
| 6 | Southeast Asian | 70,455 | 0.85% |
| 7 | Filipino | 44,880 | 0.54% |
| 8 | West Asian | 43,990 | 0.53% |
| 9 | Korean | 10,360 | 0.12% |
| 10 | Japanese | 5,310 | 0.06% |
| 11 | Multiple visible minorities | 34,955 | 0.42% |
| 12 | Visible minority, n.i.e. | 12,145 | 0.15% |
| – | Total | 1340730 | 16.14% |
Indigenous populations
In 2021, the Indigenous population of Quebec numbered 205,010 (2.5% of the population), including Inuit, First Nations, and Métis peoples. There is a known undercount, as some First Nations communities do not fully participate in Canadian censuses.
| Indigenous | Population | Percent |
| First Nations | 116,550 | 1.10% |
| Métis | 61,010 | 0.80% |
| Inuit | 15,800 | 0.20% |
| Aboriginal | 8,515 | 0.10% |
| Multiple Aboriginal identities | 3,135 | 0% |
| Total Aboriginal Population | 205,010 | 2.5% |
Totals may exceed 100% due to multiple responses.
Also read: Ethnic Origin and Race in Canada
Summary of Quebec’s Ethnic Composition
Quebec’s population is predominantly of European origin, with strong Canadian and French roots, while immigration has significantly increased the share of visible minority communities. The province is also home to a diverse Indigenous population, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Census data highlights Quebec’s evolving demographic landscape shaped by migration, cultural identity, and generational change.
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
Last updated: January 2026
Data reference year: Census 2021
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