Ontario Population Overview (2026)
Ontario is a province of Canada located in Central Canada. It is bordered by Manitoba to the west, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the north, Quebec to the east and northeast, and the U.S. states of Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York to the south.
Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and the fourth-largest by land area. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario’s population was 14,223,942 in the 2021 Census. Based on the latest quarterly estimates, the population reached 16,191,372 in Q4 2025, and continues to grow steadily toward 2026.
👉 Projected Pouulation of Ontarion in 2026 ~ 16.2 million
Read more about: Religion in Ontario
Ontario Population Growth (2021–2026)
Ontario has experienced strong population growth in recent years, driven largely by immigration and urban expansion.
Population growth rate (2021–2026): 13.83%
Population increase since 2021: 1,967,430 people
This growth trend is expected to continue through 2026, keeping Ontario firmly ranked as Canada’s largest province by population.
Ontario Census Q4 2025 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 16,191,372 |
| Percentage Change since 2021 | 13.83% |
| Population Rank in Canada | 1st |
| Total Land Area | 344,562 sq mi (892,412 sq km) |
| Area Rank | 4th |
| Population Density | 47 per sq mi (18.1 per km²) |
| Capital City | Toronto |
| Largest City | Toronto |
| Source | Statistics Canada |
Ontario Population Projection (2020–2100)
Ontario’s population is projected to continue growing steadily through the rest of the century, driven primarily by immigration, urbanization, and economic opportunities. Based on Statistics Canada trends and long-term demographic projections, Ontario’s population is expected to cross 16.2 million by 2026 and could reach over 22 million by 2100.
Ontario Population Projection Table (2020–2100)
| Year | Ontario Population (Projected) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 14.7 million |
| 2025 | 16.0 million |
| 2030 | 17.6 million |
| 2040 | 19.1 million |
| 2050 | 20.2 million |
| 2060 | 21.0 million |
| 2070 | 21.6 million |
| 2080 | 22.1 million |
| 2090 | 22.5 million |
| 2100 | 22.8 million |
Ontario Historical Population
Ontario’s population history reflects Canada’s broader economic and social evolution. In 1851, the province had a population of just under 1 million. By 2021, this figure had grown to 14.2 million, representing an increase of over 13 million people in 170 years.
The most rapid population growth occurred during the mid-20th century, particularly between 1941 and 1971. More recently, growth has remained steady, with a 5.8% increase between 2016 and 2021, highlighting Ontario’s continued demographic expansion.
Ontario Population by Year (1851–2021)
| Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1851 | 952,004 | — |
| 1861 | 1,396,091 | 46.6% |
| 1871 | 1,620,851 | 16.1% |
| 1881 | 1,926,922 | 18.9% |
| 1891 | 2,114,321 | 9.7% |
| 1901 | 2,182,947 | 3.2% |
| 1911 | 2,527,292 | 15.8% |
| 1921 | 2,933,662 | 16.1% |
| 1931 | 3,431,683 | 17.0% |
| 1941 | 3,787,655 | 10.4% |
| 1951 | 4,597,542 | 21.4% |
| 1956 | 5,404,933 | 17.6% |
| 1961 | 6,236,092 | 15.4% |
| 1966 | 6,960,870 | 11.6% |
| 1971 | 7,703,105 | 10.7% |
| 1976 | 8,264,465 | 7.3% |
| 1981 | 8,625,107 | 4.4% |
| 1986 | 9,101,695 | 5.5% |
| 1991 | 10,084,885 | 10.8% |
| 1996 | 10,753,573 | 6.6% |
| 2001 | 11,410,046 | 6.1% |
| 2006 | 12,160,282 | 6.6% |
| 2011 | 12,851,821 | 5.7% |
| 2016 | 13,448,494 | 4.6% |
| 2021 | 14,223,942 | 5.8% |
Source: Statistics Canada
Ethnic Composition of Ontario
People of European origins form the majority of Ontario’s population at 62.8%. The most commonly reported ethnic origins include Canadian, English, Scottish, Irish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, East Indian, and Dutch.
Indigenous peoples account for 2.9% of the population, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
In 2021, approximately 34.3% of Ontarians identified as members of a visible minority. Major visible minority groups include South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latino, and Arab populations.
👉 Read more about: Race and Ethnicity in Ontario
Largest Cities in Ontario by Population
Top 10 Cities in Ontario
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto | 2,761,285 |
| 2 | Ottawa | 1,000,940 |
| 3 | Mississauga | 712,825 |
| 4 | Brampton | 650,160 |
| 5 | Hamilton | 560,920 |
| 6 | London | 416,265 |
| 7 | Markham | 337,250 |
| 8 | Vaughan | 321,315 |
| 9 | Kitchener | 254,145 |
| 10 | Windsor | 226,465 |
👉 Read more about: Cities in Ontario
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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