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Indian Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
Indian Canadians are Canadians with full or partial ancestry from India. They represent one of the most significant immigrant-origin communities in the country and are the largest ethnic group within Canada’s Asian and South Asian populations, accounting for nearly 80% of all South Asians in Canada.
As per the 2021 Canadian Census, there were 1,858,755 (1.85 million) people of Indian descent, making up about 5.1% of Canada’s total population. British Columbia has the highest percentage of Indian residents, while the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is home to the largest Indian population among Canadian metropolitan areas.
India has become Canada’s single largest source of newcomers in recent years. In 2021 alone, nearly one-third of Canada’s 405,000 immigrants were from India. Indians also accounted for almost 50% of the 450,000 international students, along with over 140,000 Indians entered Canada through temporary work permit programs, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program. However, rising living costs and inflation have recently led some Indian immigrants—particularly from Punjab—to reconsider long-term settlement, with a small but growing number opting for return migration, as reported by BBC News.
Projected Indian Population in Canada in 2026 ~ 2 million
also read about the Indian population in the United States
Indian Population by Province in Canada
Ontario has the largest Indian population in Canada, with 1,052,035 people of Indian ancestry, followed by British Columbia (388,925) and Alberta (210,430). Together, these three provinces account for the majority of Indian Canadians, reflecting long-standing immigration and settlement patterns.
In percentage terms, British Columbia leads the country, with Indians making up 7.91% of its total population, followed closely by Ontario (7.50%) and Alberta (5.04%). Smaller provinces and territories have much lower absolute numbers, though some—such as Prince Edward Island and Yukon—show modest percentages due to smaller overall populations.
According to the 2021 Census, Indians form about 5.12% of Canada’s population, making them one of the country’s fastest-growing ethnic groups.”
Indian Population by Canadian Province (2021 Census)
| # | Province | Population | % of Total |
| 1 | Alberta | 210,430 | 5.04% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 388,925 | 7.91% |
| 3 | Manitoba | 56,555 | 4.33% |
| 4 | New Brunswick | 6,855 | 0.90% |
| 5 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 3,540 | 0.71% |
| 6 | Northwest Territories | 605 | 1.50% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 17,555 | 1.84% |
| 8 | Nunavut | 135 | 0.37% |
| 9 | Ontario | 1,052,035 | 7.50% |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 2,865 | 1.90% |
| 11 | Quebec | 90,235 | 1.09% |
| 12 | Saskatchewan | 28,055 | 2.54% |
| 13 | Yukon | 905 | 2.29% |
| Canada | 1,858,755 | 5.12% |
also read about Ethnicity in Canada
Indian Population by Metropolitan Area in Canada
The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest Indian population in Canada, with 812,830 people of Indian ancestry, according to the 2021 Census. It is followed by Vancouver (300,195) and Calgary (105,690), highlighting the strong concentration of Indian Canadians in Canada’s largest urban and economic centers.
Top Canadian Metropolitan Areas by Indian Population (2021 Census)
| # | City (Metropolitan Area) | Province | Indian Population | Percentage |
| 1 | Toronto | Ontario | 812,830 | 13.23% |
| 2 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 300,195 | 11.51% |
| 3 | Calgary | Alberta | 105,690 | 7.21% |
| 4 | Edmonton | Alberta | 90,660 | 6.49% |
| 5 | Montreal | Quebec | 82,530 | 1.96% |
| 6 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 50,535 | 6.16% |
| 7 | Ottawa – Gatineau | Ontario./Quebec | 43,930 | 3.00% |
| 8 | Abbotsford – Mission | British Columbia | 42,860 | 22.31% |
| 9 | Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo | Ontario | 40,110 | 7.06% |
| 10 | Hamilton | Ontario | 34,225 | 4.43% |
| 11 | Oshawa | Ontario | 24,260 | 5.90% |
| 12 | London | Ontario | 20,000 | 3.73% |
| 13 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 13,515 | 2.93% |
| 14 | Windsor | Ontario | 13,310 | 3.20% |
| 15 | Regina | Saskatchewan | 13,035 | 5.32% |
| 16 | Victoria | British Columbia | 11,395 | 2.93% |
| 17 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 10,395 | 3.34% |
| 18 | St. Catharines – Niagara | Ontario | 9,555 | 2.25% |
| 19 | Guelph | Ontario | 7,780 | 4.76% |
| 20 | Kelowna | British Columbia | 6,305 | 2.89% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
👉 Also read about the Top Cities in Quebec by Population
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Canadians
How many Indian Canadians are there in Canada?
According to the 2021 Census, about 1.86 million people in Canada reported Indian ancestry, making up roughly 5.1% of the total population.
Which province has the largest Indian population in Canada?
Ontario has the largest Indian population, followed by British Columbia and Alberta.
Where do most Indian Canadians live?
Indian Canadians are primarily concentrated in major metropolitan areas, especially Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Are Indians the largest Asian group in Canada?
Yes. Indians are the largest Asian ethnic group in Canada and account for around 80% of the South Asian population.
Why has the Indian population in Canada grown rapidly?
Growth has been driven by high immigration levels, international students, temporary foreign workers, and permanent residency pathways over the past decade.
Are Indian Canadians returning to India?
While Canada remains a top destination, some Indian immigrants have reported returning to India due to high living costs and inflation, especially in major cities.
About the Author & Data
USCanadaInfo is an independent informational website focused on demographics, population statistics, and ethnic trends in Canada and the United States. All information on this site is compiled from publicly available, official sources such as Statistics Canada, the U.S. Census Bureau, government publications, and reputable media outlets.
Population figures, percentages, and projections are based on census data, historical trends, and immigration statistics. Content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, immigration, or policy advice. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, figures may change due to future census updates, revised estimates, or data corrections.
🔎 Learn more about our methodology → https://uscanadainfo.com/methodology/
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