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South Asian Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
South Asian Canadians are Canadians who trace their ancestry to the Indian subcontinent, a region that includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. This population consists of both immigrants and Canadian-born descendants, reflecting multiple waves of migration over the past century.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 2,571,400 people identified as having South Asian ancestry, representing approximately 7.1% of Canada’s total population. South Asians form the second-largest pan-ethnic group in Canada, after Europeans, and are the largest group among visible minorities, which together accounted for 26.7% of the Canadian population in 2021.
In Statistics Canada’s classification, South Asian Canadians are part of the broader Asian Canadian category and may also be identified by specific national origins such as Indian Canadian, Pakistani Canadian, Bangladeshi Canadian, Sri Lankan Canadian, and Nepali Canadian. South Asian communities are heavily concentrated in major urban centres, with Ontario having the largest share of South Asian residents among all provinces.
Also read: Indians in the United States
South Asian Population by Nation of Origin and Language
Statistics Canada allows respondents to report multiple ethnic origins, including national origin, regional identity, linguistic group, or caste-based identity. As a result, South Asian census data includes a combination of country-based origins (such as Indian or Pakistani) and language or ethnic identifiers (such as Punjabi, Tamil, Gujarati, and Bengali). These responses are not mutually exclusive, and totals therefore exceed the overall South Asian population.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, people identifying with Indian origins form the largest South Asian group in Canada, followed by Pakistani and Sri Lankan origins. Linguistic and regional identities—particularly Punjabi and Tamil—also represent substantial segments of the South Asian population, reflecting Canada’s diverse migration patterns from the Indian subcontinent.
South Asian Population in Canada by Origin and Language (2021 Census)
| South Asian Origin / Identifier | Population (2021) |
|---|---|
| Indian (India) | 1,347,715 |
| Pakistani | 303,260 |
| Punjabi | 279,950 |
| Sri Lankan | 132,410 |
| South Asian, n.o.s. | 120,125 |
| Tamil | 102,170 |
| Bangladeshi | 75,425 |
| Gujarati | 36,970 |
| Bengali | 26,675 |
| Jatt | 22,785 |
| Nepali | 21,975 |
| Malayali | 12,490 |
| Sinhalese | 12,080 |
| South Asian origins, n.i.e. | 10,415 |
| Goan | 9,700 |
| Telugu | 6,670 |
| Kashmiri | 6,165 |
| Sindhi | 4,265 |
| Maharashtrian | 4,125 |
| Anglo-Indian | 3,340 |
| Bhutanese | 3,215 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2021
South Asian Population by Province in Canada
South Asian Canadians are highly concentrated in a small number of provinces, reflecting long-standing immigration patterns and economic settlement hubs. Ontario is home to the largest South Asian population in Canada, followed by British Columbia and Alberta.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, Ontario has 1,515,295 people of South Asian ancestry, accounting for 10.80% of the province’s total population. British Columbia ranks second with 473,970 South Asian residents (9.64%), while Alberta follows with 297,650 (7.12%). Together, these three provinces account for the vast majority of Canada’s South Asian population.
Smaller provinces and territories have comparatively modest South Asian populations, though some—such as Prince Edward Island, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories—show a notable share relative to their overall population size.
South Asian Population by Canadian Province (2021 Census)
| # | Province / Territory | Population (2021) | % of Provincial Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ontario | 1,515,295 | 10.80% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 473,970 | 9.64% |
| 3 | Alberta | 297,650 | 7.12% |
| 4 | Manitoba | 71,215 | 5.45% |
| 5 | Saskatchewan | 44,725 | 4.05% |
| 6 | Nova Scotia | 21,650 | 2.26% |
| 7 | Prince Edward Island | 3,740 | 2.49% |
| 8 | Yukon | 1,035 | 2.61% |
| 9 | Northwest Territories | 775 | 1.92% |
| 10 | Quebec | 127,995 | 1.54% |
| 11 | New Brunswick | 8,630 | 1.14% |
| 12 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 4,550 | 0.91% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 180 | 0.49% |
| Canada (Total) | 2,571,400 | 7.08% |
Also read: Asians in the United States
South Asian Population by Metropolitan Area in Canada
South Asian Canadians are highly concentrated in Canada’s largest metropolitan regions, particularly in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. The Toronto metropolitan area is the primary hub for South Asian communities in Canada, reflecting decades of immigration, family reunification, and economic settlement.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, the Toronto CMA has 1,182,485 people of South Asian ancestry, accounting for 19.25% of the metro area’s total population. This is followed by the Vancouver CMA with 369,295 South Asian residents, and Calgary, which is home to 153,200 people of South Asian descent. Several mid-sized metropolitan areas—such as Abbotsford–Mission, Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, and Oshawa—also report notably high population shares.
Top Canadian Metropolitan Areas by South Asian Population (2021 Census)
| # | Metropolitan Area (CMA) | Province(s) | Population (2021) | % of CMA Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto | Ontario | 1,182,485 | 19.25% |
| 2 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 369,295 | 14.17% |
| 3 | Calgary | Alberta | 153,200 | 10.46% |
| 4 | Edmonton | Alberta | 123,340 | 8.82% |
| 5 | Montreal | Quebec | 121,260 | 2.88% |
| 6 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 63,805 | 7.78% |
| 7 | Ottawa–Gatineau | Ontario / Quebec | 60,780 | 4.15% |
| 8 | Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo | Ontario | 55,305 | 9.74% |
| 9 | Abbotsford–Mission | British Columbia | 49,835 | 25.94% |
| 10 | Hamilton | Ontario | 47,630 | 6.16% |
| 11 | Oshawa | Ontario | 37,570 | 9.13% |
| 12 | London | Ontario | 28,285 | 5.28% |
| 13 | Windsor | Ontario | 20,590 | 4.96% |
| 14 | Regina | Saskatchewan | 19,495 | 7.96% |
| 15 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 19,370 | 6.22% |
| 16 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 16,855 | 3.66% |
| 17 | Victoria | British Columbia | 13,715 | 3.53% |
| 18 | St. Catharines–Niagara | Ontario | 12,765 | 3.00% |
| 19 | Guelph | Ontario | 11,415 | 6.98% |
| 20 | Barrie | Ontario | 7,880 | 3.75% |
Also read: Top Cities in Ontario by Population
Frequently Asked Questions About South Asian Canadians
Who are South Asian Canadians?
South Asian Canadians are people living in Canada who trace their ancestry to the Indian subcontinent, including countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. This group includes both immigrants and Canadian-born descendants.
How many South Asian Canadians are there in Canada?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 2,571,400 people identified as South Asian, making up approximately 7.1% of Canada’s total population.
Are South Asians the largest visible minority group in Canada?
Yes. South Asians are the largest visible minority group in Canada, surpassing Chinese and Black Canadians. Visible minorities collectively represented 26.7% of Canada’s population in 2021.
Which province has the largest South Asian population?
Ontario has the largest South Asian population in Canada, with over 1.5 million residents of South Asian ancestry. It is followed by British Columbia and Alberta.
Which metropolitan area has the highest South Asian population?
The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest South Asian population in Canada, with more than 1.18 million people, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the CMA’s population.
What are the largest South Asian origin groups in Canada?
People of Indian origin form the largest South Asian group in Canada, followed by those of Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi origin. Linguistic and regional identities such as Punjabi and Tamil also represent significant portions of the population.
When did South Asian immigration to Canada increase significantly?
South Asian immigration expanded rapidly after the 1960s, following changes to Canada’s immigration system that removed country-based restrictions. Growth accelerated further after the 1990s through economic migration, family reunification, and international student pathways.
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