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Canada immigration statistics

Historic and contemporary immigration statistics of Canada From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Canada immigration statistics
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Since before confederation in 1867 through to the contemporary era, decadal and demi-decadal census reports in Canada have compiled detailed immigration statistics. During this period, the highest annual immigration rate in Canada occurred in 1913, when 400,900 new immigrants accounted for 5.3 percent of the total population,[1][2] while the greatest number of immigrants admitted to Canada in single year occurred in 2024, with 483,640 persons accounting for 1.2 percent of the total population.[3][4][5][6]

In a linear timeline following initial British and French colonization, what is now Canada has seen four major waves (or peaks) of immigration and settlement of non-Indigenous Peoples take place over a span of nearly two centuries. Canada is currently undergoing its fifth wave.

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Annual immigration and rate

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Since confederation in 1867, the highest annual immigration rate in Canada occurred during the early 20th century, including 1913 (new immigrants accounted for 5.3 percent of the total population), 1912 (5.1 percent), 1911 (4.6 percent), 1907 (4.3 percent) and 1910 (4.1 percent).[2][1] At this time, immigration from the British Isles increased, supplemented by a rapid increase in immigration flows from continental Europe, especially Germany, Scandinavia, and the Soviet Union.

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Immigration graph

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Sources of immigration

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Canada receives its immigrant population from almost every country in the world. Statistics Canada projects that immigrants will represent between 29.1% and 34.0% of Canada's population in 2041, compared with 23.0% in 2021,[12] while the Canadian population with at least one foreign born parent (first and second generation persons) could rise to between 49.8% and 54.3%, up from 44.0% in 2021.[13][14][15] The number of visible ethno-cultural composition of population will double and make up the minority of the population of cities in Canada.[16]

2021 census

The 2021 census reported that immigrants comprised 8,361,505 individuals or 23.0 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were India (898,045 persons or 10.7%), Philippines (719,580 persons or 8.6%), China (715,835 persons or 8.6%), United Kingdom (464,135 persons or 5.6%), United States (256,085 persons or 3.1%), Pakistan (234,110 persons or 2.8%), Hong Kong (213,855 persons or 2.6%), Italy (204,065 persons or 2.4%), Iran (182,940 persons or 2.2%), and Vietnam (182,095 persons or 2.2%).[17][18][12]

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2016 census

The 2016 census reported that immigrants comprised 7,540,830 individuals or 21.9 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were India (668,565 persons or 8.9%), China (649,260 persons or 8.6%), Philippines (588,305 persons or 7.8%), United Kingdom (499,120 persons or 6.6%), United States (253,715 persons or 3.4%), Italy (236,635 persons or 3.1%), Hong Kong (208,935 persons or 2.8%), Pakistan (202,255 persons or 2.7%), Vietnam (169,250 persons or 2.2%), and Iran (154,420 persons or 2.1%).[19]

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2011 census

The 2011 census reported that immigrants comprised 6,775,765 individuals or 20.6 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were India (547,890 persons or 8.1 percent), China (545,535 5persons or 8.1 percent), United Kingdom (537,040 persons or 7.9 percent), Philippines (454,340 persons or 6.7 percent), United States (263,475 persons or 3.9 percent), Italy (256,825 persons or 3.8 percent), Hong Kong (205,430 persons or 3.0 percent), Vietnam (165,125 persons or 2.5 percent), Pakistan (156,860 persons or 2.3 percent), and Germany (152,345 persons or 2.3 percent).[20][21][22]

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2006 census

The 2006 census reported that immigrants comprised 6,186,950 individuals or 19.8 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (579,620 persons or 9.4%), China (466,940 persons or 7.6%), India (443,690 persons or 7.2%), Philippines (303,195 persons or 4.9%), Italy (296,850 persons or 4.8%), United States (250,535 persons or 4.1%), Hong Kong (215,430 persons or 3.5%), Germany (171,405 persons or 2.8%), Poland (170,490 persons or 2.8%), and Vietnam (160,170 persons or 2.6%).[23][24][25]

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2001 census

The 2001 census reported that immigrants comprised 5,448,480 individuals or 18.4 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (605,995 persons or 11.1%), China (332,825 persons or 6.1%), Italy (315,455 persons or 5.8%), India (314,690 persons or 5.8%), United States (237,920 persons or 4.4%), Hong Kong (235,620 persons or 4.3%), Philippines (232,670 persons or 4.3%), Poland (180,415 persons or 3.3%), Germany (174,070 persons or 3.2%), and Portugal (153,535 persons or 2.8%).[26][27][28][29]

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1996 census

The 1996 census reported that immigrants comprised 4,971,070 individuals or 17.4 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (655,535 persons or 13.2%), Italy (332,110 persons or 6.7%), United States (244,695 persons or 4.9%), Hong Kong (241,095 persons or 4.9%), India (235,930 persons or 4.8%), China (231,055 persons or 4.7%), Poland (193,375 persons or 3.9%), Philippines (184,550 persons or 3.7%), Germany (181,650 persons or 3.7%), and Portugal (158,815 persons or 3.2%).[30][31][32][33][28][29]

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1991 census

The 1991 census reported that immigrants comprised 4,342,890 individuals or 16.1 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (717,750 persons or 16.5%), Italy (351,615 persons or 8.1%), United States (249,075 persons or 5.7%), Poland (184,695 persons or 4.3%), Germany (180,525 persons or 4.2%), India (173,675 persons or 4%), Portugal (161,180 persons or 3.7%), China (157,405 persons or 3.6%), Hong Kong (152,450 persons or 3.5%), and Netherlands (129,615 persons or 3%).[33][29]

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1981 census

The 1981 census reported that immigrants comprised 3,867,160 individuals or 16.1 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (884,915 persons or 22.9%), Italy (386,505 persons or 10%), United States (312,015 persons or 8.1%), Germany (198,215 persons or 5.1%), Poland (148,940 persons or 3.9%), Portugal (139,765 persons or 3.6%), Netherlands (138,760 persons or 3.6%), Soviet Union (128,680 persons or 3.3%), India (109,660 persons or 2.8%), and Yugoslavia (91,870 persons or 2.4%).[34][35][36][37]

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1971 census

The 1971 census reported that immigrants comprised 3,295,535 individuals or 15.3 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (933,045 persons or 28.3%), Italy (385,760 persons or 11.7%), United States (309,640 persons or 9.4%), Germany (211,060 persons or 6.4%), Soviet Union (160,125 persons or 4.9%), Poland (160,035 persons or 4.9%), Netherlands (133,525 persons or 4.1%), Scandinavia (85,140 persons or 2.6%), Greece (78,780 persons or 2.4%), and Yugoslavia (78,285 persons or 2.4%).[38][39]:9[40]

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1961 census

The 1961 census reported that immigrants comprised 2,844,263 individuals or 15.6 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (908,127 persons or 31.9%), Soviet Union & Poland (358,120 persons or 12.6%), United States (283,908 persons or 9.9%), Germany & Austria (259,323 persons or 9.1%), Italy (258,071 persons or 9.1%), Netherlands (135,033 persons or 4.8%), Scandinavia (104,083 persons or 3.7%),Ireland (92,477 persons or 3.3%), Hungary (72,900 persons or 2.6%), and Yugoslavia (50,826 persons or 1.8%).[38][39]:9[41]

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1951 census

The 1951 census reported that immigrants comprised 2,059,911 individuals or 14.7 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (855,797 persons or 41.6%), Soviet Union & Poland (352,766 persons or 17.1%), United States (282,010 persons or 13.7%), Scandinavia (86,557 persons or 4.2%), Ireland (80,795 persons or 3.9%), Germany & Austria (80,291 persons or 3.9%), Italy (57,789 persons or 2.8%), Netherlands (41,457 persons or 2%), Hungary (32,929 persons or 1.6%), and Czechoslovakia (29,546 persons or 1.4%).[38][39]:9[42]:675

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1941 census

The 1941 census reported that immigrants comprised 2,018,847 individuals or 17.6 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (873,999 persons or 44.3%), United States (312,473 persons or 15.5%), Poland & Soviet Union (279,802 persons or 13.9%), Scandinavia (96,860 persons or 4.8%), Ireland (86,126 persons or 4.3%), Austria & Germany (79,192 persons or 3.9%), Italy (40,432 persons or 2%), Hungary (31,813 persons or 1.6%), China (29,095 persons or 1.4%), and Romania (28,454 persons or 1.4%).[38][39]:9[43]:163[44]:257[45]:292

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1931 census

The 1931 census reported that immigrants comprised 2,307,525 individuals or 22.4 percent of the total Canadian population. Of the total immigrant population, the top countries of origin were United Kingdom (1,031,398 persons or 44.7%), United States (344,574 persons or 14.9%), Poland & Soviet Union (305,038 persons or 13.2%), Scandinavia (120,396 persons or 5.2%), Ireland (107,544 persons or 4.7%), Austria & Germany (76,554 persons or 3.3%), Italy (42,578 persons or 1.9%), China (42,037 persons or 1.8%), Romania (40,322 persons or 1.8%), and Hungary (28,523 persons or 1.2%).[38][39]:9[46]:540[47]:710[48]:446[49]:374

Additionally, according to the 1931 census, the Canadian population with at least one foreign born parent (first and second generation persons) numbered 4,744,091 people, forming 45.7 percent of the total Canadian population.[46]:606 & 659

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1921 census

According to the 1921 census, the Canadian population with at least one foreign born parent (first and second generation persons) numbered 3,903,117 people, forming 44.4 percent of the total Canadian population.[50]:253

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1911 census

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1901 census

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1891 census

According to the 1891 census, the Canadian population with at least one foreign born parent (first and second generation persons) numbered 1,768,946 people, forming 36.6 percent of the total Canadian population.[53]:228

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1881 census

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1871 census

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1861 census

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1851 census

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Annual sources of immigration

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2020s

During the 2020s (up to March 2025/Q1), 2,087,855 immigrants have arrived in Canada. Furthermore, the top five source countries for immigrants to Canada during the 2020s include India (587,870 persons or 28.2 percent), China (147,430 persons or 7.06 percent), Philippines (117,530 persons or 5.63 percent) Nigeria (86,520 persons or 4.14 percent), and Afghanistan(68,185 persons or 3.27 percent).[3][4]

Between March 17, 2022 and April 1, 2024, 298,128 Ukrainians arrived in Canada, the vast majority of whom were not counted in the official immigration statistics for each calendar year, instead arriving under temporary resident visas.[58][59][60]

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2010s

During the 2010s, 2,823,572 immigrants arrived in Canada. Furthermore, the top five source countries for immigrants to Canada during the 2010 included India (450,257 persons or 16.0 percent), Philippines (375,703 persons or 13.3 percent), China (287,084 persons or 10.2 percent), Pakistan (97,801 persons or 3.46 percent), and the United States (87,623 persons or 3.10 percent).[3][4]

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1970s

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1960s

During the 1960s, 1,366,840 immigrants arrived in Canada. The continental breakdown for immigrants to Canada during this time included Europe (966,450 persons or 70.7 percent), North America (202,343 persons or 14.8 percent), Asia (109,770 persons or 8.03 percent), Oceania (30,630 persons or 2.24 percent), Africa (29,178 persons or 2.13 percent), South America (25,888 persons or 1.89 percent), and Other/Not stated (2,581 persons or 0.19 percent). Furthermore, during the 1960s, the top three source countries for immigrants to Canada included the United Kingdom (336,374 persons or 24.6 percent), Italy (200,442 persons or 14.7 percent), and the United States (153,609 persons or 11.2 percent).

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1950s

During the 1950s, 1,544,642 immigrants arrived in Canada. Furthermore, the top five source countries for immigrants to Canada during the 1950s included the United Kingdom (380,984 persons or 24.7 percent), Italy (234,369 persons or 15.2 percent), Germany & Austria (213,653 persons or 13.8 percent) Netherlands (120,757 persons or 7.82 percent), and Poland & the Soviet Union (92,986 persons or 6.02 percent).[67][68][69][70]

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1940s

During the 1940s, 428,733 immigrants arrived in Canada. Furthermore, the top five source countries for immigrants to Canada during the 1940s included the United Kingdom (162,082 persons or 37.8 percent), Poland & the Soviet Union (76,777 persons or 17.9 percent), United States (52,604 persons or 12.3 percent), Netherlands (18,729 persons or 4.37 percent), and Italy (11,300 persons or 2.64 percent).[71][72][73][74]

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1920s

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1910s

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1900s

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1890s

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1860s

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1850s

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See also

Notes

  1. Officially, the People's Republic of China. Excludes Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan (listed separately).
  2. Officially, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Crown Colonies, and British Overseas Territories.
  3. 'n.e.s.' – not elsewhere specified.
  4. Including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
  5. Including SyriaLebanon and Turkey.
  6. Including Austria, Hungary, Bukovina, and Galicia.
  7. Total figures indicated detail fiscal year and not calendar year.
  8. Including Russia, Poland, and Ruthenia.
  9. Incomplete figures as data for fiscal year cut short; nine months ended March 31.
  10. Incomplete figures; data for six months from January to June, inclusive.
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    References

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